Ukrainian troops intend to hold captured Russian territory for "some period of time" and the expected Russian counteroffensive will be difficult. This was stated by the Deputy Director of the CIA, David Cohen, quoted by "Reuters".
Russian President Vladimir Putin will have to "deal with the repercussions in his own society" from the loss of Russian territory, Cohen pointed out.
On August 6, Ukraine launched a large-scale invasion of Russia's Kursk region, and claimed to have captured 100 settlements. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to advance in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
According to Cohen, Putin will launch a counteroffensive. However, he expects it to be a difficult battle for the Russians.
Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the war with Russia will eventually end with dialogue, but Kiev must take a strong position. The Ukrainian leader announced that he will present a plan to US President Joe Biden and his two potential successors.
Putin, on the other hand, claims that any agreement must begin with the acceptance of the "realities on the ground" on the part of Ukraine, which means that Russia will be left with significant parts of four Ukrainian regions, as well as Crimea.
Ukraine currently claims to control over 1,200 square kilometers of Russia's Kursk Oblast.