'Reason behind North Korean troops' involvement': NATO Commander Cavoli assesses Russia's breakthrough potential

This perspective was shared by NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, during a discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by Voice of America.

When asked about the potential developments on the front in 2025, Cavoli said he wasn’t concerned about a sudden Ukrainian defeat, as he doesn’t see Russia having the strength for a large-scale breakthrough.

This isn’t a political statement, it’s purely a military assessment, Cavoli explained. It’s due to factors on both sides: Ukraine’s effective defense and Russia’s difficulty assembling significant offensive forces for a breakthrough.

He predicted that 2025 would see a rise in smaller offensive actions on the battlefield.

These actions are taking a toll on Russia. There’s a reason why they’ve brought thousands of soldiers from North Korea, Cavoli said.

He also noted that the tension between Russia’s desire to attack and its lack of manpower will largely shape the conflict, pushing them to rely more on deterrent weapons.

• Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the Trump administration’s goal is to end the war in Ukraine and prevent another conflict within the next two to four years.