Russian command is planning new long-term offensive operations, according to Newsweek.
The Russian command is developing new long-term offensive operations, - Newsweek
The Russian military leadership is planning operations that could last up to nine months, indicating that President Vladimir Putin has no intention of ending the war anytime soon.
This information was reported by Newsweek.
Analysts point to the attempt to encircle Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region as an example of the Kremlin's long-term strategic planning. A similar approach was used by Russians during the capture of Avdiivka in February 2024, as well as in the offensives on Vuhledar and Bohdanivka.
According to military analyst Emil Kastehelmi from the OSINT group Black Bird Group, the Russians are struggling to advance due to the terrain, including rivers and open fields, and the battle for Toretsk is progressing slowly.
Meanwhile, ISW notes that larger encirclements, particularly around Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, will be a test for the Russian army. However, the planning of operations for six months or more indicates that the Kremlin is not considering the possibility of ending the war, despite the new administration of Donald Trump stating the need for a quick resolution.
The chief diplomats of the EU and the USA, Kaja Kallas and Marco Rubio, agreed that pressure on Russia must be intensified to end the war in Ukraine. This information was provided by an EU official familiar with the details of the phone conversation between Kallas and Rubio.
The top diplomats discussed strengthening relations between the bloc and the United States, shared priorities in foreign policy, and issues created by China.
The publication reminded that this month, in an interview, Kallas raised the issue of using the EU's joint debt to finance the significant expenses necessary to bolster and protect the bloc from Russia.
"We must resort to political and economic pressure on Russia. We have great economic power on our side," – she said.
Earlier, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated that the Kremlin is ready for negotiations after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Medvedev noted: Moscow will initiate dialogue if Kyiv accepts the "realities" and considers the conditions previously articulated by President Vladimir Putin.
In June, Putin put forward several conditions for the start of the negotiation process. Specifically, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from areas partially occupied by Russia but not fully controlled.
On October 18, during a meeting with journalists from BRICS countries, Putin expressed readiness to discuss ending the war on the terms proposed in the spring of 2022. Subsequently, on October 24, after the BRICS summit in Kazan, he reiterated his openness to negotiations, including the possibility of "smart compromises." On November 5, Putin repeated that Russia is ready for dialogue, and on November 7, at a Valdai Club meeting, he congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential elections, noting that Trump's intention to end the war is "worthy of attention."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who previously stated the need to return to the borders of 1991 for negotiations to begin, suggested in November that occupied territories could be regained through diplomatic means. However, he emphasized that a ceasefire is only possible if Ukraine receives an invitation to NATO. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry supported this position, stating that the country's NATO membership is the only guarantee of peace. All other security guarantees have been rejected.
In turn, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for delaying possible peace negotiations with Russia until Ukraine is provided with sufficient military assistance from Western allies. According to him, this is necessary for Kyiv to strengthen its position on the battlefield and gain an advantage in negotiations.