The war in Ukraine is at a critical stage that could determine the long-term outcome of the conflict, Western intelligence officials believe, CNN writes.
"I think a point is about to be reached where one side or the other will succeed. Either the Russians will reach Sloviansk and Kramatorsk or the Ukrainians will stop them here. And if the Ukrainians can hold the line in the face of so many forces, it will make a difference," said a senior NATO official.
Western officials are keeping a close eye on three possible scenarios they believe could develop, CNN writes. According to one, Russia could continue to increase its gains in two key cities in eastern Ukraine. Under the other, officials note, a stalemate could form on the front lines that would drag on for months or years, resulting in huge losses on both sides and a slow-moving crisis that would hollow out the world economy.
Then the third scenario, which experts consider the least likely, suggests that Russia might overestimate its military objectives, declare a supposed "victory," and try to move closer to fighting.
U.S. officials point out that if Russia manages to consolidate some of its gains in the east, the Russian dictator could eventually use the territory as a springboard for further advances into Ukraine.
Furthermore, according to the NATO official, Putin's strategic goals for Ukraine have not changed.
"Putin still believes that he will eventually succeed and will either physically control or gain some form of political control over Ukraine either in large part or ideally completely," he said.
At the same time, concern is spreading among Western governments, including the U.S., that providing weapons to Ukraine is depleting national supplies that are critical for defense. As spending begins to affect ordinary citizens in the U.S. and Europe, and media attention shifts away from the day-to-day fighting, some officials fear Western support may dwindle, CNN reported.
As a reminder, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the fighting in the Donbass will definitely go down in military history as one of the fiercest battles in Europe and for Europe.
