US has new strategy to help Ukraine in 2024 - The Washington Post

The Washington Post writes about this, citing sources.

Journalists noted that the Biden administration decided to develop a new strategy after last year's "failed" counteroffensive by Ukraine. The new plan will shift the emphasis from regaining territory to helping Kyiv repel new Russian attacks, while moving towards the long-term goal of strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and economy.

According to the newspaper, the new strategy is very different from last year's, when the US and its allies sent Kyiv modern equipment and provided training to the military in the hope that this would help to quickly push back Russian forces that occupied eastern and southern Ukraine. The efforts proved futile due to heavily fortified Russian defense lines.

"It’s pretty clear that it will be difficult for them to try to mount the same kind of major push on all fronts that they tried to do last year," a senior White House official told WP.

According to one source, the idea is to position Ukraine as holding its own on the battlefield for now, but "put them on a different trajectory to be much stronger by the end of 2024 … and get them on a more sustainable path."

The publication also notes that a repeat of the counter-offensive is likely to have the same result, which would be a demonstration of Russian President Vladimir Putin's strength, so the allies are developing long-term plans. In particular, each side is preparing a document that sets out its specific commitments for up to ten years in the future.

At the same time, the authors of the article emphasize that the success of this strategy depends almost entirely on the United States, the largest donor of money and equipment, as well as the coordinator of multilateral efforts. This spring, the Biden administration hopes to publish its 10-year commitment, although the request for additional funding for Ukraine in the amount of $61 billion has not yet been approved by Congress.

According to US officials, the document will guarantee support for short-term military operations, as well as the development of future Ukrainian armed forces capable of deterring Russian aggression.

It will contain specific commitments and programs that will help protect, restore and expand Ukraine's industrial and export base, as well as promote political reforms necessary for full integration into Western institutions.

The publication also notes that the West hopes that in 2024 Ukraine will not lose more territory than one-fifth of the country currently occupied by Russia. In addition, Western governments want Kyiv to focus on the tactics in which its troops have recently been more successful - long-range attacks.

• The day before, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said that Ukraine would be stronger by the end of the year and better positioned to determine its future.