U.S. Officials Advise Ukraine To Wait On Offensive

Ukrainian servicemen ride atop a tank near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak 

Reuters: U.S. officials advise Ukraine to wait on offensive, official says  

WASHINGTON — Senior U.S. officials are advising Ukraine to hold off on launching a major offensive against Russian forces until the latest supply of U.S. weaponry is in place and training has been provided, a senior Biden administration official said on Friday. 

The official, speaking to a small group of reporters on condition of anonymity, said the United States was holding fast to its decision not to provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine at this time, amid a controversy with Germany over tanks. 

President Joe Biden, who approved a new $2.5 billion weapons package for Ukraine this week, told reporters at the White House, “Ukraine is going to get all the help they need,” when asked if he supports Poland’s intention to send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine. 

U.S. talks with Ukraine on any counter-offensive have been in the context of ensuring the Ukrainians devote enough time first to training on the latest weaponry provided by the United States, the official said.  

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Update: US advises Ukraine to hold off on major offensive until latest arms shipment: report (FOX News)  

WNU Editor: Good advice from these US officials.

 Ukraine has approximately 700,000 men in uniform. But out of that 700,000 soldiers, anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 are only fit for combat. On the opposite side there are approximately 300,000 to 500,000 Russian soldiers fit for combat, and according to all reports they are dug in with protected fortifications, multiple kill zones. and superior fire power backed by air supremacy. 

Ukraine also has the problem of having adequate supplies of ammo, equipment, and the need to replace combat soldiers. General Valery Zaluzhny, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was very clear in his interview with the Economist last month that he basically needs a new army, something that will take time to rebuild .... General Valery Zaluzhny, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (December 15, 2023).

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