The Pentagon is preparing a detailed analysis and developing a plan to support the Ukrainian army in the medium and long term, including after the end of the war with Russia. This is reported by CNN with reference to the information of three officials of the US Ministry of Defense.

 According to the channel, these efforts are led by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and they will rely on billions of dollars in military aid that the United States provided to Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

 The US assessment and initial plans could be discussed when Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meet with their allied counterparts in Germany on Thursday.

 The analysis and planning is based on a recent war game that the US and Ukraine conducted before the current counteroffensive in the Kherson region. Some of the lessons learned from that war game have been put to good use, one of the officials said.

 The analysis will also include an initial consideration of Ukraine's needs for an upgraded air force and helicopters to support highly mobile ground forces, officials said.

 Beyond the current conflict, which the US believes will be protracted, the Pentagon is looking at at least the next five years after the end of the war.

 The analysis is being conducted jointly with the Ukrainians and, if approved by President Joe Biden, could lead to years of future arms sales and the creation of a long-term US military training program. It will be presented to Kyiv as an assessment, but will provide a clear road map showing how the US believes the Ukrainians should develop their military.

 The analysis is expected to be "given within the next month or two," the senior official said, stressing that Ukraine's views will be central to the latest efforts.

 Initial efforts could lead to recommendations on weapons and training, depending on the military strategy Ukraine approves. Ultimately, this could extend the involvement of the US and its allies in supporting Ukraine for years to come through long-term, multi-year arms contracts.