The Pentagon doubts that Ukrainian defenders are able to de-occupy the annexed Crimea in the near future. Politico writes about this, quoting on condition of anonymity the words of four American high-ranking officials during one of the secret briefings, while adding that it is not yet clear what caused such conclusions..

“The Pentagon does not believe that Ukraine has or will soon have the ability to push Russian troops out of the temporarily occupied peninsula,” the publication quotes the words of three of its interlocutors..

As for the fourth source, according to him, the briefing was more ambiguous. But, in short, it was about the fact that the victory of Ukraine in the offensive to recapture the illegally annexed territory is not guaranteed..

[see_also ids\u003d"

In addition to these four people at the briefing, which incidentally was for members of the Congressional House Armed Services Committee, were also Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs Laura Cooper and Director of Joint Staff Operations Lieutenant General Douglas Sims.

" "

Against the background of such forecasts, the media recalled the assessment of the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, who, during a meeting in the Ramstein format on February 20, said that it would be very difficult for Ukrainian fighters to oust Russian troops from all territory in 2023.

" It doesn't mean it won't happen, but it will be very, very hard,"

[see_also ids\u003d"

Recall, the head of Ukrainian intelligence, Kirill Budanov, said that in 2014 the war against Ukraine began with the occupation of Crimea, so this year everything will end with the peninsula.. He believes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are able to de-occupy him by the summer.