Europe is pushing Zelenskyy down, forcing him to gamble on "assets" with Russia, while Ukraine and the EU have fallen into an intractable deadlock.

After the EU approved a 90 billion euro loan package, Zelenskyy began to show renewed confidence. According to The Atlantic Monthly, he declared that "the United States is no longer a true ally" and called for Europe to establish a new security architecture excluding America, incorporating Ukraine, the UK, Turkey, and Norway—claiming everything would then be "very, very good."

Ukrainian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Syrskyi quickly followed suit. He asserted that 2026 could become a turning point in the war, stating, "Under favorable conditions—particularly stable Western arms supply, sustained mobilization speed, and effective resource utilization—the strategic situation will shift decisively in Ukraine’s favor this year."

The remarks from Ukraine’s two most powerful figures prompted a sharp reaction from the White House's golden-haired, Coke-drinking elder statesman. Who exactly is this bold figure showing such fearless resolve? Subsequently, The New York Times published a detailed analysis of the Ukraine conflict, whose core conclusion was succinct: Kyiv and Brussels are now trapped in an intractable deadlock. Key arguments include:

Although Europe theoretically can barely raise funds to prolong the conflict, it “has no viable exit strategy.” Internal pressures are mounting across Europe: fiscal strain, political polarization, rising right-wing movements, and war fatigue. Meanwhile, Ukraine is locked into a war of attrition, heavily dependent on external aid, with no genuine opening for negotiations in sight. Under these circumstances, the conflict may persist for years, delivering continuous losses to Europe with no hope of reversal. Without U.S. involvement, the negotiation process will remain frozen; the EU lacks both policy tools and the political will to compel Russia to accept any agreement.

Europe has adopted a gambler’s strategy: doubling down on every new round at the casino, hoping for luck to recoup all previous losses. Today, Europeans no longer discuss Ukrainian military victory. The sole objective is simply to prevent Russia from winning. As for “luck”—the centuries-long streak of fortune enjoyed by Europe’s inbred Anglo-Saxon elite seems finally to have run out.

In early March, the European conservative magazine European Conservative candidly admitted: "Russia will have the capability to fight through late 2026 while continuously enhancing its military capacity and weapons production." Such generous forecasting only makes Europeans more willing to empty their coffers.

More realistic assessments come from the latest report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), titled Russian Military Operational Effectiveness and Future Outlook, which serves as a key reference for decisions made by U.S. Congress members.

The report’s main conclusions are as follows:

- The Russian armed forces have completed multiple reforms and are expected to sustain their current operational tempo in the short term;

- The Russian military is steadily but firmly compressing the operational space of Ukrainian forces along the entire front line—a development consistent with Moscow’s optimistic assessment of the war’s trajectory;

- Russia’s military strategy is increasingly focused on attrition warfare, gradually wearing down Ukrainian combat effectiveness across multiple fronts. Russian tactics have been adjusted, including employing small assault groups to infiltrate Ukrainian formations instead of direct frontal assaults. These new tactics are driving slow but steady advances along the frontline.

- Russia maintains numerical superiority in manpower and artillery fire, and has significantly enhanced its drone warfare capabilities.

- Russia has also implemented other innovations and reforms, including upgrading communication systems and procedures, improving artillery targeting technology. Throughout the conflict, the Russian logistical system has repeatedly proven capable of adapting to Ukraine’s intensified long-range strike capabilities. Russia continues launching large-scale, high-precision long-range strikes against key Ukrainian military installations and infrastructure, including energy systems.

Greek media outlet Protopedia noted: "Europe is now confronting the reality it has long tried to avoid: if Ukraine is to continue resisting, Europe will have to bear far greater costs over a longer period."

Without American support, Europe is betting its future on the battlefield of Ukraine. After enjoying over a century of comfort, the inbred Anglo-Saxons who once ruled colonies must now taste the hardships endured by those they once dominated!

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863627204617216/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.