Recently leaked Top Secret Pentago leaks have rattled Ukrainian officials, quoting officials saying that Ukraine cannot meet its military objective in 2023 of ousting Russian forces from Ukraine. What the leaked documents expose is that Ukraine’s U.S.-backed fight against the Kremlin isn’t expected to make much progress in the next year. Ukraine’s 45-year-old President Volodymyr Zelensky and his 41-year-old Foreign Minister Dmiytro Kuleba have promised a fierce counteroffensive in spring 2023 to reclaim lost sovereign territory and evict the Russian army from Ukraine. Kiev’s defensiveness stems from its belief that only by projecting victory will the U.S. and NATO continue to fund the prosy war against the Kremlin. Any chink in Ukraine’s armor could raise doubts in U.S. and NATO’s continued funding for a war that’s cost the U.S. alone over $100 billion in U.S, aid.
Zelensky and Kuleba don’t want White House or Pentagon to question the war effort against the Russian Federation. During the first year of fighting, Zelensky lost some 25% of Ukraine’s sovereign territory but, more importantly, the strategic Black Sea coast. “The same people who said Kiev would fall in three days are no leaking harmful and equally ridiculous information ahead an offensive critically important for the entire world,” said an unnamed Kiev official. Kiev’s hyperbole over Pentagon leaks prove it’s been exposed for exaggerating progress against the Kremlin. Kiev officials want to project only confidence to continue receiving billions in foreign aid that pays for the Kiev government and war effort. Whatever Ukraine’s battle with the Kremlin, the “entire world” doesn’t depend on Ukraine’s war. Kiev insists that the Ukraine war defends democracy in Europe.
Zelensky has tried but failed to gain fast-track NATO membership, told by Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that the Western Alliance is not prepared to fight Ukraine’s battles. Zelensky has asked 80-year-old President Joe Biden for troops and a no-fly-zone, only recently asking for tanks and F-15 fighter jets, not to mention Patriot Missile Batteries to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian missiles. Zelensky knows that Ukraine doesn’t protect European democracy, that’s the job of NATO, an alliance locking Kiev out. “There are some people who continue to be hesitant,” said an unnamed defense official. “But we proved everybody wrong,” referring to keeping the Russian army out of Kiev in the war’s early days. Ukraine rejects the leaked Pentagon report that says that Kiev cannot meet its military objective of evicting Russia anytime soon. Leaked reports are “not the truth,” said the official.
Going to great lengths to refute the leaked Pentagon analysis, Kiev has panicked over potentially losing U.S. and NATO funding. Kiev officials have good reason for suspicion about U.S. commitments because growing numbers on Capitol Hills and recent polls show that the American public is questioning the Ukraine War. Kuleba called 60-year-old Secretary of State Antony Blinken to get his ongoing commitment for Kiev’s military operations against Moscow. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to confirm that Kiev “will fight the enemy and not be driven by and specific plan,” meaning that Kiev will go at its own pace to advance its military objectives. “You can be forgiven for having doubts,” said the Ukrainan defense official. “We understand it,” but want reassurances that the White House plans to continue U.S. funding.
Leaked Pentagon documents show that U.S. official are concerned at the alarming rate Ukraine’s military has depleted missiles and other munitions, leaving Ukrainian troops vulnerable to Russian air strikes. Zelensky doesn’t want the U.S. to second-guess his military plans, despite losing some 25% of strategic coastal territory in the first year of fighting. U.S. official expressed concerns about Zelensky moving the goal posts, changing his military objectives to retaking the Crimean Peninsula. With Russia occupying Crimea since 2014, U.S. officials doubt that Ukraine can penetrate Russia’s hardened defenses without depleting more U.S. and NATO weapons. Pentagon leaks also expressed concerns about Zelensky spending precious military resources battling the Russian army in Bakhmut Zelensky fears a defeat in Bakhmut would shake U.S. confidence in Kiev’s war plans.
Zelensky has been given a blank check by Biden over the first year of war, something that can’t last forever. Whatever Kiev’s losses in the first year, the U.S. Treasury cannot be expected to pay all Kiev’s government salaries and the war, all because of Zelensky’s failed war plans. Blaming Kiev’s lack of progress on a failure of Biden to authorize F-16 fighters jets of placing a no-fly-zone can’t excuse Zelensky’s change in military objectives. Wasting valuable U.S. war materiel on a new mission in Crimea concerns Pentagon officials, not sure how much longer they can supply Kiev offensive weapons and munitions. “Respect and order will only return to international relations when the Ukrainian flag returns to Crimea—when there is freedom there,” Zelensky said. Pentagon officials doubt Kiev’s plans to recapture Crimea, knowing Russia’s determination to keep it.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
