The War is Effectively Over & Russia May Seize Odessa
Andrei Martyanov with Prof. Glenn Diesen
I spoke with Andrei Martyanov, a military expert and author, about the developments on the battlefield in Ukraine. Martyanov argues that Russia has won the war of attrition, and the situation goes from bad to worse for Ukraine and NATO. Martyanov discusses how the technological and tactical landscape has changed over the past three years. Martyanov is not optimistic about the possibility of a diplomatic settlement and believes Ukraine and NATO are heading toward a military defeat. Russia may consequently annex more territories, including Odessa. As the frontlines continue to collapse, the causality levels intensify. From a humanitarian and strategic (post-war stability) perspective, it should be a priority to find a political settlement.
Love him or hate him, there was no Russia/Ukraine war when Trump was president. But when Biden was president, too much loose talk about Ukraine becoming a NATO member. That was the last straw for Russia. This was a proxy war doomed to failure from the jump, and thousands of Russians and Ukrainians have been killed because of it.
Mr.Martyanov is very sharp but sometimes looking forward a little bit too far forward. There is probably no way for Ukraine to win this military conflict, but how the affairs are settled politically remains to be seen. If Russia is forced to swallow Galicia (Russia does not want that piece but situations can force Russia's hand,) there will be serious pacification work to do. Yes, we all know that a sudden collapse can happen as in WW1, but until that happens, nobody knows for sure. Complacency is very dangerous at this stage, just like in November 1944, when many Americans from generals to privates imagined some of them could be at home on Christmas.