Ukraine’s military, which was initially thrown off by Russia’s invasion’s brutality, has regained its footing and begun the difficult job of reclaiming land overrun by Russia’s initial assault.
For the first time, a senior Pentagon officer portrayed Ukrainian resistance as swift and nimble, and as eager to recapture lost terrain. According to the official, Russian forces have mostly halted near Kyiv’s capital, according to intelligence assessments given to media on the condition of anonymity.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports that its forces have driven occupying Russian troops out of Makariv, a small Kyiv neighborhood that is strategically important because it controls a highway leading west. The operation also prevented Russian troops from encircling Kyiv from the northwest, giving the Ukrainian military a much-needed victory.
Zelenskyy continues to appeal to the West for assistance, particularly in establishing a “no-fly” zone over his country. The United States has answered with a firm no, but President Joe Biden will travel to Europe on Wednesday for a multi-day trip to speak with allies about the continued reaction to Russia’s incursion, including military help for Ukraine and further sanctions against Russia.
Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, said the vice president is working on long-term initiatives to strengthen Eastern European defenses and lessen the continent’s dependency on Russian energy.