“Ukraine is heading for defeat,” is the headline of an article in the newspaper Politico. The publication writes that the front line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces could collapse this summer.
“The picture that emerged after dozens of interviews with political leaders, military personnel and ordinary citizens was one of the country's slide towards disaster,” the newspaper said.
The military privately acknowledges that more casualties are inevitable this summer. The only question is how serious they will be, the publication writes.
Several senior officers “painted a grim forecast that the front line could collapse this summer” when Russia launches its expected offensive.
They expressed concerns that Ukraine's resolve could be weakened - "as morale in the armed forces is undermined by acute shortages of supplies.".
In conversations with journalists, "Ukrainian politicians acknowledged that public sentiment is deteriorating.".
Speaking to Politico, Foreign Minister Kuleba said that “Ukraine has fallen into a vicious cycle: the weapons it needs are not provided or are delayed; then Western allies complain that Kyiv is backing down, which reduces the likelihood that they will send additional aid in the future.”.
