Kiev [Ukraine], February 11: Ukraine is facing a Russian advance in the east while at risk of having its military aid cut by the US.
Russia advances in Donbass
The Ukrainian military announced yesterday (February 10) that Russia has launched a new wave of attacks using dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting the capital Kyiv and the border province of Sumy. Russian UAV attacks have been occurring almost daily as Moscow forces have been advancing in eastern Ukraine amid a tightening of aid to Kyiv by its biggest partner, the United States.
According to a report on February 10 by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW, USA), Russian forces have recently been gradually approaching the cities of Toretsk, Pokrovsk and Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk province. The Russian army is said to be focusing on the goal of controlling the entire Donbass region including the two provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk. Almost all of Luhansk is now in Russian hands and although the two sides are still at stalemate in Donetsk, Moscow is gradually moving forward and announcing the acquisition of more settlements every week.
Meanwhile, in Kursk province (Russia), Deputy Director of the Russian military-political department Apty Alaudinov said yesterday that most of the Ukrainian special forces sent in August 2024 have been wiped out and that the mobilized soldiers are now the core. The operation in Kursk is aimed at preventing Russia from launching a new offensive in southern Ukraine, and the areas won there will be a bargaining chip for Kyiv in future negotiations. However, the land controlled by Ukraine in Kursk is only a very small part compared to what Russia holds in the provinces from eastern to southern Ukraine.
America will reduce aid
Not only is Ukraine at a military disadvantage, it is also under diplomatic pressure as the Trump administration is holding private talks with Russia about the conflict.
Over the weekend, President Trump revealed that he had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about steps toward a solution, according to Reuters. Mr. Trump said that he was trying to end the conflict and "making progress." The Kremlin did not confirm or deny the information, while Ukraine signaled that it would not accept any agreement without it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that the end of the fighting must be accompanied by security commitments for Kyiv.
This week, a Ukrainian delegation led by Mr. Zelensky will attend the Munich Security Conference (taking place from 14-16 in Munich, Germany), where they will present their views on ending hostilities and security commitments.
According to AP, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg will be in Munich.White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said that in meetings this week, the US administration will begin discussions about withholding some aid to Ukraine and asking Europe to play a larger role going forward.
"President Trump will end the conflict. In terms of security commitments, that will certainly be the Europeans," Waltz said, warning that the US was prepared to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia to force it to the negotiating table. President Trump previously hinted that he could meet with President Zelensky this week.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
