Without the help of the United States, within a year Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will be dictating the terms for ending the war. At the same time, if support is provided to Kyiv, it will be Ukraine that will be able to set the tone at the end of the year.
CIA Director William Burns stated this, Voice of America reports.
— What worries me in 2024 [about the situation in Ukraine] is that without additional help you will see even more Avdiivka, that Ukraine will lose more territory, despite its courage and perseverance. And over time — significant areas, — he said during a hearing in the US House of Representatives.
Burns noted that Putin is not interested in compromises and is interested in negotiations where he can dictate terms.
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— Without additional help, I think this is the future that Ukrainians may face in a year, — he emphasized.
According to the head of the CIA, the Ukrainian Defense Forces could force the Russians into negotiations from the strong position of Kyiv by the end of the year if they continued to receive support from Europe and the United States. Under these conditions “it is possible to ensure strategic success for Ukraine and Western countries”.
He noted that additional support could undermine Putin's arrogance and belief that time is on his side, and put Ukraine in a position where it could negotiate an outcome from a position of relative strength.
— The result, where Putin is defeated, Ukraine will remain a sovereign independent state, supported by Western institutions, which will have time and security to rebuild. While Russia will have to live with the long-term consequences of Putin's senseless and brutal invasion of Ukraine, — Burns summed up.
What will the situation on the battlefield depend on until the end of this year
The CIA director believes that the situation at the front in Ukraine by the end of this year will probably depend on American assistance.
He expressed regret that Congress was taking a long time to decide on aid to Ukraine.
— We supported Ukraine, we provided the weapons they needed, and they fought. We did not fight against Russian aggression with heavy losses. … What's happening now on the battlefield — Ukraine has no advantage because we have not approved aid, — he said.
Help from the USA
February 13 The US Senate supported a bill to help Ukraine and its allies in the amount of more than $95 billion. Of this, $60 billion is provided for Ukraine.
At the same time, the House of Representatives still cannot reach a consensus on the adoption of the document.
March 12, the United States announced the allocation of assistance to Ukraine in the amount of $300 million.
