Will attacks escalate? Military expert reveals critical date for Putin
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russia may intensify its attacks on Ukraine over the next 50 days in an attempt to pressure the West before final decisions are made regarding continued support for Kyiv, said military expert Mykhailo Samus in an interview with RBC-Ukraine’s YouTube channel.
"Right now, Russia could very well use these 50 days to launch large-scale strikes. I wouldn’t rule it out," Samus said.
He explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has seemingly not yet made a final decision, is likely to drag things out until the very end, specifically, until September 2.
"I think his partners won’t drag things out, but he will, because he’s hoping for changes, shakeups, or problems in Europe and the US. He’s convinced he needs to push through the summer campaign to the end," Samus emphasized.
Russia’s summer campaign has failed
The military expert pointed out that it’s already July 18 and there has been no breakthrough by Russian forces.
"I don’t think it will happen either, because Ukraine’s Defense Forces are holding very firmly, despite Russia’s slow advance of about 100 meters a day. But this is clearly not what Putin was hoping for. He will not occupy Ukraine and will not win," he stressed.
Samus added that in this scenario, neither NATO nor the EU will abandon their support for Ukraine.
Trump tries to end the war in Ukraine
Even before the launch of his 2024 presidential campaign, US President Donald Trump claimed he could quickly bring the war in Ukraine to an end. At the time, he suggested that hostilities could be stopped within just 100 days of his return to office.
Trump has consistently criticized the previous US administration, blaming it for failing to prevent the war. He has stressed that the conflict could have been avoided had he remained President.
For a long time after taking office, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to influence Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
However, more recently, he voiced disappointment, saying Putin is unwilling to compromise, and that the conflict may drag on.
Against this backdrop, the United States and NATO have agreed on a new initiative: American weapons will be supplied to Ukraine using funds provided by European countries.
Trump also issued a warning: if there is no progress in talks between Russia and Ukraine within 50 days, the US may introduce new secondary tariffs.
That deadline is set to expire on September 2.
Read more about the changes in Trump's attitude toward Putin and Russia and whether his threats will help stop the war in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
