US Joint Chief of Staff: Neither side can achieve final victory by military means

The publication recalls that in November 2022, US Chief of Staff Mark Milley said that thanks to a successful counterattack, Ukraine’s strong military position and the approaching winter season, when “the front line stabilizes.” good conditions for the start of peace talks.

He also acknowledged that neither side could achieve final victory by military means.

President Joe Biden’s administration then assured Ukraine that Milley’s words did not reflect the US position and that only the Ukrainian authorities could decide to open negotiations.

The Biden administration now admits that “Millie was probably right,” according to Politico.

“Maybe we missed the opportunity to insist on negotiations earlier,” said one of the broadcast’s interlocutors.

However, the official stressed that the presidential administration doubts whether Moscow will take these talks seriously.

He also added that American officials do not believe that the attack that began in Ukraine in the summer was a mistake. According to him, the USA will not change its stance and will continue to support Ukraine.

At the same time, another official told Politico that the administration was increasingly asking him: “If we accept us, [atbalstīt Ukrainu] It won’t be forever, so what do we do?”

On the other hand, Milli, who had previously offered to start negotiations, said in an interview with the “Washington Post” newspaper that Ukraine can win, but it will take time:

“It all depends on what you mean by ‘win’. For Ukraine, it’s a struggle for existence, a struggle for survival.”

“For Europe and the rest of the world, this is the struggle to maintain international order that has existed since the end of World War II. If the ultimate goal is a free, independent Ukraine, then it will take a lot of effort to achieve that goal.”

“This war that is going on right now is a long, very difficult war with many casualties. It will take a very, very long time to achieve these goals.”

Milli also acknowledged that the set goals can be achieved through peaceful means, but according to him, we now have to wait for the conclusion of the Ukrainian offensive.

“We’ll have to see how it all ends, and then we’ll be on our way,” he admits.