General David Petraeus, a former CIA head, believes Putin is bluffing about red lines concerning Ukraine's weapon use. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discusses potential agreements with President Biden to lift restrictions on Ukraine's missile capabilities. James Waterhouse provides insights on the situation in Kyiv as these diplomatic discussions unfold. The talk highlights the importance of Ukraine's resistance and the evolving military strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions.
General Petraeus believes lifting restrictions on long-range missiles for Ukraine is necessary to enhance their capacity against Russian airbases.
The ongoing recruitment challenges faced by Ukraine highlight the need for effective mobilization to sustain their defensive strategy amid losses.
Deep dives
US and UK Decision on Long-Range Missiles
There are strong indications that the US and UK will lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles against targets within Russia, a move that could escalate NATO's involvement in the conflict. President Putin has warned that such a decision would signify direct participation from NATO countries and fundamentally change the nature of the war. Discussions surrounding this topic highlight the tension it creates, as Russia has retaliated by revoking the accreditation of British diplomats, accusing them of espionage. Observers are concerned about the implications this may have for ongoing diplomatic relations and the potential for increased hostilities.
General Petraeus's Insights on the Situation
General David Petraeus emphasized the significant assistance the US has provided to Ukraine, amounting to over $61 billion, which surpasses the defense budgets of many European nations. While there’s confidence in the ongoing military support, he noted a prevailing weariness among Ukrainians as they face challenges along critical frontline positions. Petraeus suggested that lifting the restrictions on long-range missiles is now overdue, as it would allow Ukraine to target Russian airbases, thus potentially reducing the aerial assault on its territory. This strategic shift is seen as crucial for Ukraine's ability to manage the conflict effectively in the face of an aggressive Russian offensive.
Future Prospects and Recruitment Challenges
The coming months in Ukraine will be challenging, primarily hinging on the country's ability to recruit and train replacement soldiers amid ongoing losses. General Petraeus indicated that recent legislative changes have aimed to bolster conscription efforts but emphasized the crucial need for expedited recruitment processes. As the military situation evolves, the ability of Ukraine to effectively mobilize and integrate new forces would be essential to sustaining its defensive posture. The innovative approaches adopted by Ukrainian forces, especially in technology and drone utilization, point to a strong resilience, yet the overall dynamics of the war remain precarious.
The former head of the CIA, General David Petraeus, tells Ukrainecast why he thinks President Putin is bluffing after he warned the West against allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons to target Russia.
Lucy is in Washington DC where the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is meeting President Biden to discuss Ukraine. There are strong indications that they will agree to lift restrictions on Ukraine using such missiles against targets inside Russia.
And James Waterhouse gives reaction on how the news is unfolding in Kyiv.
Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings.
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Cordelia Hemming, Charlotte Scarr, Claire Betzer and Ivana Davidovic. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Frank McWeeny. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480
You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord
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