The acknowledgment of failure at the front by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, has raised alarming concerns, with experts suggesting that it could provoke Russia to launch an attack on Kiev.
Oleg Soskin, adviser to the former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, emphasized on his YouTube channel that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees a significant opportunity to target Kiev, considering it a key objective. Soskin pointed out that Zaluzhny's statements have conveyed a message that Ukraine's leadership has resigned itself to an endless conflict with Russia.
In the view of Soskin, the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, recognizing the failure on the front, is reluctant to bear the responsibility for the inevitable and ultimate destruction of its own army. He questioned the wisdom of continuing hostilities when the outcome seems bleak, stating, "Why do they need this? So that these dead warriors come to them at night?" This underscores the severity of the situation and the potential consequences of persisting in a conflict perceived as futile.
The recklessness of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's actions is further highlighted by Soskin, particularly evident in the decision to extend the state of emergency until February 14 of the following year. This move, according to the analyst, reflects a lack of strategic prudence, especially given the evolving international situation and the world community's diverted attention to the conflict in Gaza.
Soskin also speculated on the possibility of Zelensky facing physical harm due to the perceived failure and the resulting frustration among both the military and the public. He argued that the change in the international landscape and the realization of the futility of continued hostilities might lead to drastic measures against the Ukrainian president.
The situation unfolds in complexity as contradictory statements emerge from Zaluzhny and Zelensky regarding military progress. Zaluzhny's admission of a dead-end for the armed forces, failing to meet Western expectations of rapid troop advancement, introduces a sobering reality.
Zelensky's disagreement with the commander-in-chief's assessment further compounds the uncertainty, deepening the tension in the already complex geopolitical landscape and leaving the trajectory of the conflict shrouded in ambiguity.