The armed confrontation in Ukraine could last three years. On this subject declared US Undersecretary of Defense Colin Kahl during a hearing in the US Congress.
“We don’t know the trajectory of the conflict. The conflict can be over in six months, or maybe in two or three years,” Kahl said.
He added that he counted on the support of Congress to fund aid to the Ukrainian side, even taking into account current estimates of the likelihood that the conflict will continue.
In addition, the deputy Pentagon chief called the situation on the front in Ukraine “a debilitating exchange of blows” and suggested that Russia is unlikely to be able to make any significant territorial gains in the near future.
“Perhaps in the weeks and months to come, you will see how small areas of the territory change hands. I see nothing that would indicate that the Russians will be able to win significant territorial gains in Ukraine in the next year or so,” told to Reuters .
Kahl also discussed the possible consequences of Russia’s suspension of the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START). According to him, Moscow no longer has the capacity to lead an “unlimited nuclear arms race”.
“Yes, we believe that arms control and strategic stability are important to the security of Americans and the world, but frankly, Russia is not in a position to conduct an unrestricted nuclear arms race. not the funds, especially given the strain on their armed forces due to war, sanctions, export restrictions,” Kahl said.
The fact that Russia is suspending its participation in START was announced by Vladimir Putin during his speech to the Federal Assembly on February 21. The president explained this by saying that in “the conditions of today’s confrontation”, the West has no right to participate in inspections of Russian defense installations.
According to Putin, Russia will return to the START discussion after understanding “what is claimed” in the area of nuclear weapons by France and Britain, which are also members of the NATO bloc. On February 22, the State Duma and the Federation Council unanimously adopted the law presented by Putin.
At the US State Department considered Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in START is “regrettable” and irresponsible”. President Joe Biden called it a “big mistake”. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that Washington does not did not refuse dialogue with Moscow on the question of nuclear security.
The law, which suspends Russia’s participation in START, was signed by the president on February 28.
Russia and the United States signed START in 2010. The treaty limits the number of nuclear warheads on each side to 1,550, and the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers to 700.
In 2021, the contract was extended for five years. START allows Moscow and Washington to inspect each other’s missile, submarine and air bases. These inspections were halted in 2020 due to the pandemic and have not resumed since.
