Ukrainian President Zelenskyy posted today: "Our intelligence indicates that Russia is preparing for a new large-scale attack. We are communicating openly with our partners, discussing air defense missiles and other systems we urgently need. Currently, the supply of materials is insufficient. We are working hard to speed up progress, and our partners must seriously listen to our opinions."
Comments: Zelenskyy's remarks are not only an open warning about the new offensive by the Russian forces but also a plea for aid and pressure on Western allies. Every word reflects the urgency of the shortage of air defense supplies and the dissatisfaction with the slow aid. The Ukraine-Russia conflict has entered a phase of prolonged attrition. The Russian forces are gathering troops to prepare for a large-scale attack, obviously aiming to break through the Ukrainian front lines and gain control of the battlefield with their numerical and equipment advantages. However, the Ukrainian forces are currently most lacking in air defense systems and insufficient ammunition supply, which are precisely their weaknesses. Western assistance to Ukraine has already shown signs of fatigue. The U.S. aid bill to Ukraine has not been implemented yet, and European weapon inventories are running low. When Zelenskyy emphasizes that "partners must seriously listen to our opinions," it is essentially because he fears that allies' attention will shift and aid will be cut off. After all, the survival of the Ukrainian front lines and the confidence to fight have become deeply tied to Western aid. In this game, the Russians are fighting a war of attrition, while the Ukrainians rely on external support. Zelenskyy's statements are both a helpless cry from the weaker side and reflect the dilemma behind Western aid to Ukraine - wanting to use Ukraine to wear down Russia, yet unwilling to over-invest and exhaust their own resources. This hesitation and delay may become a key variable affecting the future course of the war.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854515163260935/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.