Ukraine’s allies exploring how to give it ‘decisive edge’ against Putin’s army, say western officials

RUSSIA-POLITICS-MEETING
Vladimir Putin’s whose war in Ukraine has cost the lives of tens of thousands of civilians
SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine’s allies in the West are exploring how to give it a “decisive edge” against Vladimir Putin’s army to stop his war “grinding” on claiming more and more casualties, western officials said on Wednesday.

One suggested this could eventually see Ukraine supplied with more modern fighter aircraft.

“The envelope is anything short of attacks on Russian soil other than those that are directly engaged in the fighting in Ukraine,” said the official.

The new policy could also develop into providing Kyiv with equipment to “pre-empt” new Russian military strategies rather than just reacting to attacks, for example, on key infrastructure such as electricity power stations.

Western capitals are looking at the “trajectory” of the conflict, which has entered its tenth month, and seeking to work out “what it would take to give Ukraine a decisive edge without crossing over into an offensive against Russia,” the officials explained.

“That’s the tricky question but it’s one that people are starting to look at because the alternative which is fundamentally to let things grind on as they are that is not attractive either,” they added.

“That is work that is going on in the US and with key Nato allies.

“It has not reached a conclusion yet but it is something that we look at very carefully.”

Pressed on whether modern fighter jets could be supplied to replace more ageing MiG 29 planes, one official added: “It’s all kept under review and it’s all part of this ongoing conversation with the Ukrainians

“I have not heard fighters mentioned for a while but if the trajectory keeps going in the way that it is I think there will be a conversation about that.

“But I would not prejudge what decisions might be made.

“A lot of it does depends on the nature of the Russian attacks and where the Ukrainians most want to put their effort.”

However, officials stressed that there would be limits on the support provided to avoid sparking a wider conflict with Putin’s regime.

“The envelope could stretch, it’s very reactive, so far it’s been reactive, the Russians hit something we help the Ukrainians counter that and counter further attacks.” they said.

“Whether or not one would look at equipment that would enable the Ukrainians to pre-empt some of what the Russians might do - all these things are under consideration but no decision has been reached.

“The envelope is anything short of attacks on Russian soil other than those that are directly engaged in the fighting in Ukraine.”

Mr Putin launched his war on February 24 and it is reported to have left 40,000 civilians dead, with an estimated 100,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded, with a similar level of Ukrainian casualties.

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