ROME, JAN 27 – Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine as early as February-March and at the same time strengthening his country for a long-term confrontation with the United States and its allies: he writes today Bloomberg, which cites officials, consultants and others with knowledge of the situation. The Kremlin intends to show that its forces can regain the initiative after months of losing ground, by pressuring Kiev and its supporters to agree to a kind of truce that leaves Russia in control of the territories it currently occupies, the agency comments of US press. The leaks confirm warnings from Ukraine and its allies that a new Russian offensive is on the way and could begin before Kiev receives the US and European tank supplies promised in recent days. Putin’s determination portends another deadly escalation of the war as Kiev prepares a new push to expel Moscow’s forces, notes Bloomberg. Putin believes he has no alternative but to prevail in a conflict he considers existential with the United States and its allies, the sources underline, according to whom a new round of mobilization is possible as early as this spring as the economy and society are increasingly subordinated to the demands of war. “Unless something changes, we have a war of attrition like World War I ahead of us, which could go on for a long time because both sides believe that time is on their side,” said Andrey Kortunov, head of the Council for International Affairs. International of Russia founded by the Kremlin. “Putin is sure that the West or Ukraine will get tired,” he added. (HANDLE).
(ANSA)
