Despite public declarations of mutual understanding between Ukraine and the United States, behind-the-scenes disagreements over ending the war are growing, reports Politico.
Some American politicians say that Washington is providing very few weapons to Kyiv and that it is only for defense purposes.
“Is it to drag this thing out, is it to just give them enough to survive and not to win?” said Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
For nine months, Russia has laid siege to Bakhmut, though capturing the southeastern Ukrainian city would do little to change the outcome of the war. Multiple administration officials have begun worrying that Ukraine is expending so much manpower and ammunition in Bakhmut that it could affect their ability to mount a major counteroffensive in the spring.
And the Biden administration is "angry" that the Ukrainian command decided to stubbornly defend Bakhmut despite the threat.
“I certainly don’t want to discount the tremendous work that the Ukrainians’ soldiers and leaders have put into defending Bakhmut — but I think it’s more of a symbolic value than it is a strategic and operational value,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Another factor that made Washington worry was the recent media reports that a "pro-Ukrainian group" was responsible for the explosion at the Nord Stream gas pipeline. In addition, the White House is said to be angry at Kyiv's constant request for new weapons shipments. In particular, it was noted that "Zelensky did not show proper gratitude."
The administration definitively declared the alliance between the United States — and its allies — and Kyiv remained strong, and that it would last as long as the war continued. But as the war intensifies and a new Presidential Election approaches, there are speculations about how credible Biden's decision will be, reports Politico.
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