Putin is no longer satisfied with the four Ukrainian regions he previously proposed, but is now demanding seven regions - according to German newspaper BILD, citing Nico Lange, a former German defense official and military expert, this escalation of the situation is a direct consequence of Trump's refusal to support peace negotiations.
"Putin has never intended to genuinely enter any ceasefire agreement. He has always been using peace talks as a cover to buy time for new military offensives." - Lange pointed out. According to Lange, while conducting so-called "peace contacts" with Trump, Putin was actually planning the June offensive - which has now begun. Russia's goal is to seize more territory, including: Sumy Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which will supplement the four oblasts previously announced by Russia as "annexed": Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The Ukrainian side also confirmed that Russian forces are massing troops in border areas of Ukraine, especially in the Sumy and Kharkiv directions. Andriy Pomazubs, Chief of Staff of the 13th Separate Brigade "Charter", said: "The enemy has massed a large number of troops at the border, which is a clear signal that they are preparing for a new offensive."
Meanwhile, the situation in the Donetsk region is also intensifying - Russian forces are gradually approaching the strategic city of Konstantinovka (with a pre-war population of about 70,000), possibly implementing an encirclement. In addition, after three months of relative calm, Russian forces have recently mobilized thousands of new troops, enhanced armored forces and tank formations, and strengthened air power.
For Ukraine, the war is entering a new dangerous phase. The next few months will be extremely critical for both the front-line battlefield situation and international diplomatic situation.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833053201976459/
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