Russian forces in Ukraine to be ‘Burned Through, Depleted’ by End of Winter, Says Former NATO Chief

As long as the Kremlin’s conflict with the neighboring nation goes on, former NATO head James Stavridis predicted that Russian soldiers in Ukraine will be “burned through and depleted” by the end of the winter.

Breakthrough This Winter

In an interview with presenter John Catsimatidis for the morning program “Cats Roundtable” on New York radio station WABC 770, Stavridis stated that he does not anticipate a breakthrough from either side this winter.

However, Stavridis said to Catsimatidis, “I don’t see either side having a breakthrough moment – at least this winter.” “Unfortunately, the earliest opportunity for a discussion will be following the winter. The loss of so many troops and so much equipment will leave the Russians burned out and tired.

Additionally, Stavridis stated that he thinks both parties would work to push for discussions in the later half of this year.

Stavridis continued, “On the Ukrainian side, pressure from the West to prevent more expenses is likely to become enormous.” “More battle to go, when I put it all together. Ukrainians triumph in the battlefield. Russians are succeeding in the air.

‘Work To Have Negotiation’

“Let’s all work to have a negotiation somewhere in the middle of 2023,” he said.

The words by Stavridis come as the United States’ ambassador to Ukraine. Oksana Markarova said on Sunday that the U.S. had made effective use of the billions of dollars it had contributed to bolster its counterattack against Russia.

A $1.7 trillion federal budget plan approved by Congress last month contains $45 billion for Ukraine and other NATO partners. Several well-known GOP senators have publicly expressed their concern with the ongoing assistance provided to the sovereign nation despite the turmoil.

On CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Markarova stated, “We’re utilizing every U.S. dollar that is provided to us, to a good use. We’re using it as an investment into our common battle for democracy.”

Other Reports, Every Dollar Going To Good Use

The American ambassador to Ukraine As some Republican senators have begun to doubt the aid, Oksana Markarova emphasized on Sunday that the U.S. backing for Kyiv in its conflict with Russia, which amounts to billions of dollars, is being used effectively.

On CBS’s “Face The Nation” with Margaret Brennan, Markarova stated, “Every U.S. dollar that is donated to us, we’re putting it to a good use. We are investing in our shared battle for democracy by doing so.”

At the end of December, Congress approved a $1.7 trillion federal budget plan that includes around $45 billion for Ukraine and NATO partners. Republicans were outraged by the deal, and some of them have begun to publicly question how much assistance the United States has given Ukraine.

A set of new House rules that came up as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) bargained with his critics might result in a significant reduction in defense expenditure. On “Fox News Sunday” with Shannon Bream, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) suggested that Congress look at the nation’s expenditure on Ukraine as they explore budget cuts.

Markarova stated that meetings with the White House and congressional leaders during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to Washington were “extremely cordial and very helpful,” despite Republican accusations that U.S. money is to blame.