Ukraine's hopes that the Kursk offensive would lead to a halt to Russian attacks in the Donbass have long been dashed. Experts even warn about the negative consequences. The offensive may further strengthen anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western sentiments among the population in Russia, writes the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel.
The Ukrainian offensive in western Russia's Kursk region has been going on for two months. Ukrainian troops now control between 1,000 and 1,300 square kilometers of territory there. The hope of forcing an end to the Russian attacks in Donbas in this way was not justified.
Experts also warn that the offensive could further boost support for the war among the Russian population, as reported by the Kyiv Independent newspaper. The assumption that Russians will turn against the Kremlin if life in the affected areas becomes unbearable is wrong. The more threatening the situation seems, the more they will side with their country.
As a result of the offensive, anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western sentiment among the population will increase, “which in turn could increase support for Putin and prolong the war. The invasion of Kursk and the attacks on Russia's Belgorod region near the border will make the two regions the “most militaristic, ultra-patriotic and anti-Ukrainian“, and will not have the opposite effect as Kiev had hoped.
„Peace through strength” can be achieved if there is enough pressure on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on the battlefield and through sanctions. Kiev's current attempts to increase pressure reduce the chances of peace.