“For the United States, the war in Ukraine began to change course”

RFI interviewed French General Vincent Desportesformer director of the ‘School of War’ (Paris), in turn the United States draws on its involvement in the war with Ukraine, in particular in the supply of armstwo months after Russia’s invasion of that country.

The United States believes Ukraine can win the war against Russia if it is “properly equipped,” Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Monday after a historic trip to kyiv with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Austin and Blinken, who returned to Poland on Monday morning, specifically announced that U.S. diplomats will begin a phased return to Ukraine this week and the sending of $ 700 million as additional military aid. The Ukrainian president regularly asks his Western partners for more powerful weapons.

-Are these new ads in America a sign that these requests are starting to be heard?

-No, I think they are signs of the beginning of a change of course in the war. Traditionally, Americans commit only when they know they are taking little risk, when they are absolutely confident that they have measured the situation. The visit of these two ministers to kyiv and the announcement of the donation of heavy weapons, are all signs that US intelligence has a sense of change in the war, that Ukrainians have a good chance of preventing the invasion of Russia. Even repatriate the Russians to their country.

-In these two months, the Westerners seem to be increasing the caliber of weapons they provide to the Ukrainians against the Russians, who have heavier weapons. Why?

The Americans believe that if they offer more weapons to the Ukrainians, if they strengthen Ukrainian troops, there is a good chance that Ukraine will stop the aggression and perhaps push it back. Over time, we will see that the weaponry delivered to Ukraine is changing: we have gone from light weapons, small caliber ammunition, to man-portable anti-tank or anti-aircraft weapons. Today we are talking about armored vehicles, tanks and troop carriers. So we see a real change in the nature of the weapon being brought to Ukraine.

“It’s a strategic mistake to want to destroy the opponent’s prestige, because he responds with more violence.”

Russia shot down two Ukrainian drones near the Ukrainian border on Monday, according to local authorities. The announcement came shortly after Russian authorities reported the burning of a large fuel depot in a Russian city, 150 km from the border, used as a logistics base for the military offensive. Russia has repeatedly accused kyiv forces of carrying out attacks on its territory. Ukrainians are generally cautious. How is this contention explained?

-It is likely that this dispute is due to the fact that many think that Putin should be prevented from suffering a huge embarrassment. It was a strategic mistake to want to destroy the opponent’s prestige, as he responded with more violence. That’s why I think they should carry out these maneuvers calmly.

“Ukrainians are not interested in presenting themselves as aggressors against Russia. Kyiv’s interest is to show the world that the attackers are the Ukrainians”

At the same time, Ukrainians are not interested in presenting themselves as aggressors against Russia. Kyiv’s interest is to show the world that Ukrainians are being attacked. We know that President Zelensky is a communication expert: he presents his war and this silence about his own attacks on Russia is part of this presentation.

It is normal in a tactical, technical and military perspective for Ukraine to attack Russia on its territory. The important thing is not to hit the power, but the sources of power, its sources. When Ukraine attacks logistics depots, regrouping points, it limits itself to applying lsimplest military logic. It consists of attacking what gives military power to one, i.e. your logistics. If the Russians don’t have any spare parts or ammunition or fuel, then they will stop. That is why Ukrainians are interested in attacking these deposits.

By Anastasia Becchio, RFI

ap