Ukraine may leave the Kursk region in a few months, the price of the operation may turn out to be too high: Bloomberg
Ukraine’s bold offensive into Russia’s Kursk region stunned Kyiv’s allies with its quick initial success, overturning perceptions that the war had reached a stalemate and exposing the hollowness of Vladimir Putin’s promises to defend his territory at all costs. But a month after the operation, U.S. and European officials still don’t understand Kyiv’s ultimate goal for the captured 500 square miles (1,300 square kilometers) of Russian territory now occupied by Ukrainian forces. About this writes Bloomberg publication with reference to Western officials.
The publication also notes that some allied officials fear that Kyiv may be forced to relinquish these territories within a few months if Moscow launches a larger-scale counterattack. With Russian troops waging their own offensive in eastern Ukraine, using their numerical superiority to break Kiev’s lines, some European officials have expressed concern that the price of the Kursk operation may prove too high. They spoke on condition of anonymity in a private conversation.
In addition, the publication emphasizes:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv could use the captured territory as a bargaining chip in negotiations. But with no signs that Moscow is ready for serious negotiations, some allies believe Ukraine will not be able to hold it long enough to provide leverage in any what diplomatic efforts.
However, Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region showed its allies that Ukrainian forces can conduct coordinated offensive operations using a variety of weapons provided by the West.
The lack of significant retaliation from Russia also bolstered Kiev’s argument that Putin’s often-touted “red lines” are empty threats meant to scare the US and Europe. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is citing a muted response from the Kremlin as he urges allies to allow Ukraine to use longer-range weapons against targets in Russia and take pressure off its outnumbered forces. Privately, some allied diplomats agree that fears of Putin’s retaliation seem overblown.”
The publication recalls Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s words addressed to Alliance officials at a meeting in Germany on Friday:
“Putin has spilled so much blood that his “red lines” are now meaningless.”
Bloomberg writes that Moscow has not yet redeployed a large number of troops from eastern Ukraine to fight in Kursk, instead continuing a deadly onslaught on Kyiv’s line around key logistics hubs. Alliance officials have said that Russia will need to send many more troops to Kursk in order toidabandon the Ukrainian troops.
