CIA Director: Ukrainians will fight with their bare hands if terms of peace unacceptable
Photo: John Ratcliffe, CIA Director (Getty Images)
Ukraine's army continues to be underestimated worldwide. Ukrainian soldiers will fight even with their bare hands if the terms of peace with Russia are not acceptable to them, states CIA Director John Ratcliffe during hearings in the US Senate.
Senator Jerry Moran asked Ratcliffe what risks the US would face if Russia achieves its maximalist goals in a peace agreement with Ukraine.
In response, CIA Director Ratcliffe stated that US President Donald Trump currently wants to end the war on terms that would lead to a lasting peace. He added that the CIA has taken steps to support Trump's goal.
According to Ratcliffe, he agrees that Russia has an advantage on the battlefield and is making slow progress.
"With regard to the Ukrainian resistance, the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian military have been underestimated for a period of several years now. And ultimately, from my reflections in observing, from an intelligence standpoint, I'm convinced that they will fight with their bare hands if they have to, if they don't have terms that are acceptable to an enduring peace," he added.
At the same time, Ratcliffe assured that Trump is aware of the danger if Russia gets what it wants. He also said that if "negotiations are successful," neither side will achieve its maximalist goals.
Ukraine's red lines
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine sources reported that during a meeting between Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia on March 11, Ukraine outlined its red lines.
In particular, Ukraine cannot accept Russia's demands to reduce its own army.
