Putin sets deadline to seize full control of Donbas - NYT
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin expects to fully capture Donbas by the fall of next year. Otherwise, negotiations will become more likely, according to sources cited by The New York Times.
"Mr. Putin has said that Russia must at the least obtain complete control over the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. If the Russians cannot do that by autumn 2027, officials and analysts said, talks would be more likely. And key decisions must be made in advance," the material reads.
The article also reported on the expectations of Western officials and analysts, who say that Russia will escalate the war in winter. Putin will target Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, exploiting Kyiv's shortage of air defense missiles.
In addition, mobilization in Russia is expected to be announced after the parliamentary elections scheduled for mid-September.
"And some even worry that Mr. Putin, feeling cornered, might try to escalate the war and test the solidarity of NATO, beyond hybrid attacks in Europe," the NYT added.
Europe's expectations regarding the war
The article also states that European allies nevertheless count on the US to pressure Russia into getting Putin to sit down at the negotiating table with Ukraine.
At the same time, the settlement in Ukraine and relations with Russia are too important for Europe to hand this matter over indefinitely to the increasingly unpredictable US administration.
NYT added that they want to ensure that Washington and Moscow do not strike any deal without their involvement.2536
Current state of the war
As is known, Russia continues to ramp up missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are intensifying strikes on enemy military facilities and logistics in their rear.
In July, Russian troops suffered some of their heaviest losses since the start of the full-scale war.
As for negotiations, Russia and Ukraine are currently pinning their hopes on the efforts of mediators, particularly the US, which has focused its attention on the war in Iran. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry recently said that Kyiv is interested in continuing talks with Russia if there is a substantive discussion about a ceasefire.
The Kremlin, for its part, continues to demonstrate a complete unwillingness to compromise, presenting Ukraine with demands to cede a significant portion of its territory.
