Ukraine's Yermak Rejects Idea Of Pivoting To Defense Strategy

The head of Ukraine’s presidential office dismissed the idea of pivoting to a defensive posture, saying it would only lead to a persistent stalemate.

"The transition to a defensive position often leads to the freezing of the conflict. We have seen this since 2014. We will never accept a frozen conflict with Putin," Andriy Yermak said in an interview with Le Figaro.

Some experts in the West have called on Ukraine to focus on a defensive posture after its much-anticipated 2023 summer offensive made little headway in driving Russian forces from their territory. Russia still controls about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory.

Those experts argue that Ukraine should focus on protecting the territory it still controls, claiming it lacks the resources to take back more land.

Yermak admitted constrained manpower and armaments shortages are hindering progress.

"At the front, troops complain about the lack of people and resources and say that they are no longer able to advance. This is definitely a problem, and there is no point in hiding it," he said.

Ukraine's parliament is debating a new mobilization bill as its armed forces have struggled in recent months to recruit new soldiers.

Meanwhile, the United States, Ukraine's biggest supplier of military equipment, has yet to approve a new aid bill, forcing Kyiv to conserve weapons use.

Congress has been debating a new $61 billion aid package for months. The bill, if passed, would ensure Ukraine receives military aid to get it through 2024.

Russia is readying to launch a new offensive in the summer, Ukrainian officials told the Financial Times, intensifying Kyiv's need for more men and weapons now.

Despite large-scale offensives by both sides last year, neither made much progress.

Experts have said it is unlikely that either side will make a breakthrough this year.