Reference News Network, December 29 report: Russia's "Viewpoint" website published an article titled "The Capture of Gulyaipole Changes the Agenda of Trump and Zelenskyy's Meeting" on December 28. The author is Rafael Fakhruddinov. The full translation is as follows:
When Russian President Putin commented on the Russian military's capture of the key city of Gulyaipole in Zaporozhye region, he pointed out that the military achievements have made Moscow lose interest in whether Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the territories they control. Experts believe this statement has both military and diplomatic significance.
Putin visited a command post of the Russian Armed Forces joint operations, where he listened to a report from Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov on the special military operation. Gerasimov stated that the eastern group of Russian forces had completed the clearing mission in the city of Gulyaipole in Zaporozhye region.
Putin responded: "Gulyaipole is the second largest city in Zaporozhye region, which opens up good prospects for the further offensive by the Russian forces in Zaporozhye region."
Putin said that Kyiv "is not eager to resolve the conflict peacefully." However, he emphasized: "However, based on the reports from you all and the speed of our advances at the front, our interest in whether the Ukrainian armed forces will withdraw from the territories they currently control has basically dropped to zero."
The "Two Majors" channel on the social media platform Telegram pointed out that Gulyaipole was a fortress that the Ukrainian side had been cultivating for many years. The battle to seize this place was by no means easy. However, due to the flexible and mobile tactics used by the Russian forces, who tied down the enemy forces along the Dnipropetrovsk region line, and the bravery of the personnel of the Eastern Military District, the city was captured within two weeks.
The channel pointed out: "With the collapse of the Ukrainian defense in Gulyaipole, the situation of the Ukrainian forces has become increasingly critical."
Military journalist Alexander Kots commented: "From now on, the Russian forces have opened the way to Olekhov... This is the last important defensive hub around Zaporozhye city."
Military expert Yuri Knutov believes: "Putin's statement that Russia no longer cares whether Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the territories they control is clearly a clear signal to Trump and Zelenskyy during their meeting in the United States." He believes that this statement by the Russian leader is obviously intended to undermine Zelenskyy, while sending a clear message to the international community: the Kyiv authorities have no cards left and can no longer seek favorable conditions from the White House. Zelenskyy cannot hide the real situation on the battlefield from Washington, because the US has satellite monitoring data and maintains direct communication channels with Moscow. Therefore, Knutov believes that Trump would be more inclined to trust the information disclosed by Russia.
Knutov pointed out that Putin's statement should be viewed as a warning to all parties negotiating with the Zelenskyy team: either accept the peace conditions proposed by Russia immediately, or watch the situation in Ukraine deteriorate rapidly. (Translated by Zhao Zhipeng)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7589276980969767467/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.