The Biden administration believes that such a move by Ukraine would strengthen its position in any upcoming negotiations.
The administration of US President Joe Biden is beginning to acknowledge that Ukraine may need force to strike Russian targets in Crimea, even if such a move increases the risk of escalation.
The publication writes about this The New York Times, citing several anonymous U.S. officials.
“For years, the United States has insisted that Crimea is still part of Ukraine. However, the Biden administration has taken a hard line since Russia's invasion of Ukraine , refusing to provide Kyiv with the necessary weapons to target the Crimean peninsula, which Russia is using as a base for devastating blows. Now, that line is beginning to soften,”, the article says.
U.S. officials said that after months of discussions with Ukrainian officials, the Biden administration is finally beginning to acknowledge that Kyiv can it will take force to hit the “Russian sanctuary”, even if such a move increases the risk of escalation.
The US presidential administration concluded that if the Ukrainian army could show Russia that control over Crimea could be in jeopardy, this would strengthen Kyiv's position in any future negotiations. In addition, fears have faded that the Kremlin will respond with tactical nuclear weapons.
The publication notes that the Biden administration is now considering one of its most daring steps – helping Ukraine attack Crimea, which Russian President Vladimir Putin “sees as an integral part of his desire to restore former Russian glory.”
At the same time, the US president is not yet ready to provide Ukraine with the long-range missile systems it will need to attack Russian targets on the peninsula.
Liberation of Crimea
Recall that in early January, the representative office of the President of Ukraine reported that the offensive actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were approaching the so-called land corridor to Crimea, and it was already in the line of fire .
The head of Ukrainian intelligence, Kirill Budanov, announced a serious spring counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along the entire front – from Crimea to Donbass.
Budanov also stated that Crimea would be returned to Ukrainian control in a combined way – by military force and diplomacy.
Crimea will be liberated before the end of August 2023 – such a forecast was made by the former commander of US troops in Europe, General Ben Hodges.
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