(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 27 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine already in February-March and at the same time he is strengthening his country for a long-term confrontation with the United States and its allies: he writes today Bloomberg, which cites officials, consultants and others familiar with the situation.
The Kremlin intends to demonstrate that its forces can regain the initiative after months of losing ground, by pressuring Kiev and its supporters to agree to a sort of truce that leaves Russia in control of the territories it currently occupies, comments the US news agency.
The leaks confirm warnings from Ukraine and its allies that a new Russian offensive is on the way and could begin before Kiev receives the supplies of US and European tanks promised in recent days.
Putin's determination portends another deadly escalation of the war as Kiev prepares a new push to expel Moscow's forces, notes Bloomberg.
Putin believes he has no alternative but to prevail in a conflict he considers existential with the United States and its allies, underline the sources, according to whom a new round of mobilization is possible as early as this spring as the Russian economy and society are increasingly subordinated to the demands of war.
"Unless something changes, we have a war of attrition like World War I ahead of us, which could last a long time because both sides believe that time is on their side," said Andrey Kortunov, head of Russia's International Affairs Council founded from the Kremlin.
"Putin is sure that the West or Ukraine will get tired," he added.
(HANDLE).
