Monday, August 11, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Significant Russian advances in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine

Published 2 May 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Many analysts have been arguing for months (if not years) that Ukraine will not be able to win the war.
3 minute read

Since the beginning of the year, Russia has been consolidating and expanding its positions with the largest territorial advance since the beginning of the war. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling on the US and its allies to step up arms deliveries.

Russia has intensified its offensive along the frontlines in Ukraine in recent months, securing its largest territorial gains since 2022.

The ongoing expansion, including concerns about Russia’s upcoming summer offensive, has set off alarm bells in Kiev and among its Western allies. A coalition that now fears for Ukraine’s very existence, as well as the overall geopolitical stability of the region.

According to Ukrainian military analysts, the ongoing Russian offensive has created a critical situation for Ukraine, where the support of the United States and Western countries, according to those in power in Kiev, plays a crucial role in the country’s continued defense capability and survival.

A US Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) during the failed Ukrainian counter-offensive in 2023 is seen here burned out on the battlefield. Photo: Telegram/facsimile

Collapse in Avdiyivka

After a long wait for US military aid that was finally approved – via what critics say was a major betrayal by Republican congressional spokesman Mike Johnson (R) – Ukraine is now facing an increased Russian military presence along the front lines.

Something that has seriously tested the country’s defense capabilities. Not least its air defense and air force, which are more or less non-existent on some front lines. Add to this the staggering and deeply disturbing loss of some half a million Ukrainian soldiers, dead, wounded and missing.

Russian forces have taken advantage of the artillery shortage that has plagued Ukraine’s defenses since December 2023 to advance along the eastern front, with particular success near the heavily fortified and logistically important town of Avdiyivka, located in the center of the Donetsk region.

This tactical advance has seriously alarmed Ukrainian military leaders, who are now warning of the threat to key supply lines and strategic areas in eastern Ukraine.

According to the latest reports from the front, Russian forces have taken control of their initial positions in the village of Arkhanhelske (Kherson Oblast), leading Ukrainian troops to encircle the area between Arkhanhelske and Keramik. According to reliable sources, Russian forces have also captured the village of Paraskoviivka.

There is also a high level of activity in Chasiv Yar, where several houses have reportedly been secured by Russian forces. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops have launched a counterattack east of Yampolivka and managed to regain lost positions along the edge of the forest.

Despite international calls and Ukrainian appeals for additional military and economic assistance, Russia has continued to advance toward Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar, for example, further weakening Ukraine’s defensive position.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has pledged that Sweden will support Ukraine “as long as it takes”. Photo: Magnus Liljegren/Swedish Government

Kharkov next?

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has issued an urgent appeal to Western countries for a sharp increase in military supplies to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. He has stressed the urgency of the situation and sounded the alarm about the growing risk of what he sees as further Russian invasion or territorial expansion.

For example, there are indications that the Russian army is currently building up troops and materiel on the border northeast of Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv.

This possible army corps (approximately two to four divisions), according to several sources, would be under the Northern Army Group, designated “N”, under the presumed command of Colonel General Aleksandr Lapin.

As Ukraine struggles to reinforce its fortifications along the front lines, not to mention desperately trying to find men to fill its severely depleted manpower lines, the country now faces an uncertain future in the face of what is believed to be an imminent Russian summer offensive, where Russian advances threaten to fundamentally change the geopolitical dynamics in the region.

If the Russian army does advance into Ukraine through the Kharkiv-Sumy border, Volodymyr Zelenskyi will likely face his greatest challenge since the war began on February 22, 2022.

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7 out of 10 Ukrainians want to negotiate for peace

The war in Ukraine

Published 9 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's tone toward Russia has changed markedly in recent times - a sign that peace may be near?
2 minute read

A clear shift in public opinion is evident in Ukraine after more than three years of war. In Gallup’s latest poll, conducted in early July, 69% of respondents say they want to end the war as soon as possible through peace negotiations.

Only 24% prefer to continue fighting until victory. This represents a complete reversal compared to 2022, when 73% wanted to continue fighting for victory and only 22% advocated for negotiations.

Despite the desire for negotiations, few Ukrainians believe the fighting will end soon. 25% consider it likely that active fighting will end within the next twelve months, but only 5% see this as “very likely”.

68% believe that an end to fighting within a year is unlikely. Meanwhile, daily missile and drone attacks continue, and fighting remains intense along several front sections.

Fewer and fewer Ukrainians believe in victory on the battlefield. Illustration: Gallup

“Support for the war effort has declined steadily across all segments of the Ukrainian population, regardless of region or demographic group. This shift comes as diplomatic efforts gain new traction. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled readiness for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing renewed negotiations, while U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to pressure the Kremlin with the threat of sanctions”, writes Gallup analyst Benedict Vigers, continuing:

“Despite these moves, the conflict continues largely unabated. Daily missile and drone attacks persist, and fighting remains intense along multiple sections of the front line”.

Fewer believe in NATO and EU

Ukrainians’ view of US political leadership has also shifted dramatically. In 2025, 16% say they are satisfied with US leadership, while 73% disapprove – the highest level to date. The strong sympathies that existed in 2022, when 66% approved of US leadership, have thus practically disappeared.

The Ukrainian people have a very negative view of current US leadership. Illustration: Gallup

Belief that Ukraine will join the US-led military alliance NATO has also fallen sharply. In 2022, 64% believed in membership within ten years; in 2023, the figure rose to 69%. Last year it had dropped to 51%, and in 2025 it stands at 32% – roughly half the level of three years earlier.

Meanwhile, the proportion who believe Ukraine will never become a NATO member has increased to 33%, which matches the proportion still expecting entry within a decade.

Regarding the EU, expectations are stronger, though dampened compared to earlier. A narrow majority, 52%, believe in EU membership within ten years in 2025, compared to 61% last year and 73% in both 2022 and 2023.

Gallup poll – July 2025

  • 69% want to end the war through negotiations
  • 24% want to continue fighting until victory
  • 25% believe the fighting will stop within a year (5% "very likely")
  • 68% believe the fighting will not stop within a year
  • 16% approve of US leadership, 73% disapprove
  • 32% believe in NATO membership within 10 years
  • 33% believe Ukraine will never become a NATO member
  • 52% believe in EU membership within 10 years

Nordic countries unite on new major aid package for Ukraine

The war in Ukraine

Published 6 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The support package will include ammunition for the Patriot air defense system, among other items.
2 minute read

Sweden, Norway and Denmark are joining forces in a new military aid package for Ukraine. Sweden is providing the largest portion of the assistance, which includes air defense systems, anti-tank weapons and ammunition.

In July, Donald Trump and NATO agreed on an aid package for Ukraine – an initiative where the US delivers advanced defense equipment to selected NATO countries, which in turn coordinate and finance further deliveries to Ukraine. So far, about ten NATO countries, including Sweden, have endorsed this arrangement.

Now Sweden, Norway and Denmark have decided to jointly contribute a military aid package totaling $500 million – Sweden’s share amounts to around $275 million.

We welcome the US decision to provide equipment to Ukraine, including ammunition for the Patriot air defense system, and that NATO is coordinating the support. Ukraine has a great need for support from allies and partners to defend itself against Russian aggression, says Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson (Moderate Party) at a press conference.

— Ukraine stands on the front line for our freedom and democracy. Blue-yellow solidarity is therefore the single most important thing right now. We stand by their side for as long as it takes, aid package after aid package – military and humanitarian. Together in NATO, together with Ukraine, we continue to defend freedom, claims Swedish Education and Integration Minister Simona Mohamsson (Liberal Party).

The aid package will include air defense systems, anti-tank weapons and ammunition that will be procured by the US and delivered to Ukraine. Sweden has previously contributed military support worth nearly €8 billion since the war in Ukraine began.

Greene: Ukraine support a betrayal of the American people

The war in Ukraine

Published 6 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Greene is highly critical of the neoconservative "war hawks" within the Republican Party - and their influence.
2 minute read

Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene directs harsh criticism at party colleagues and other politicians who continue to want to send American aid to Ukraine.

In a post on X, she describes the support as a “complete betrayal” of the American people – and argues that voters have already said no to financing foreign conflicts.

“Funding, fueling, and ultimately fighting Russia in Ukraine would be a complete betrayal to the majority of Americans”, she writes, referring to the recent presidential election where Trump defeated Joe Biden and returned to the White House.

According to Greene, one of the voters’ clearest signals was to put a stop to US involvement in foreign wars.

“America voted to end funding and fighting foreign wars”, the Republican adds.

Her statement came the day after a new bill was presented in the Senate, where $54.6 billion is proposed to be earmarked for Ukraine for budget years 2026 and 2027.

“Don’t want to pay to murder people”

Greene accuses politicians on both sides of the aisle of ignoring the message voters conveyed in the election. She argues that young Americans in particular feel betrayed:

“Republicans supporting such policies could lose the younger generation of voters and may never get them back”.

She argues that people under 50 increasingly feel unrepresented by both Republicans and Democrats, not least because of how tax money is used:

“Various taxpayer-funded initiatives have made life unaffordable and the future bleak for the vast majority of average American”, she continued.

In the same post, Greene criticizes the moral foundation for American Ukraine support:

“American taxpayers do not want to pay to murder people in some foreign land over a foreign conflict that has absolutely zero effect on our lives”.

Corrupt leadership?

She also supports the president’s line, where European countries are expected to bear greater responsibility for the war in Ukraine. Trump has since his return to the White House opposed continued economic support to Kyiv and has repeatedly questioned how the money is used and warned that billions from the Biden administration’s previous aid packages may have been embezzled.

Trump’s former advisor Steve Cortes has also expressed harsh criticism. He has called Ukraine “corrupt” and warned that its leadership “cannot be trusted,” referring to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acting against independent anti-corruption bodies.

Greene has in previous statements called Zelensky a “dictator” and accused him of blocking all peace initiatives.

The Russian government has in turn repeatedly warned that the Western world’s military and economic support to Ukraine only prolongs the war and leads to more bloodshed. According to Moscow, every new aid package is an obstacle to peace negotiations.

Russia rules out talks between Putin and Zelensky without final agreement

The war in Ukraine

Published 25 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Moscow says no to a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyj before a finished agreement is on the table.
2 minute read

Russia currently rules out a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, unless the parties first agree on the draft of a finished memorandum. This was stated by Vladimir Medinsky, the Kremlin’s lead negotiator in talks with Ukraine, in connection with the latest peace talks in Turkey.

Medinsky, one of the most prominent representatives of the Kremlin in the ongoing peace negotiations, emphasized that a personal meeting between the two leaders is only meaningful if they have already agreed on the terms of a peace agreement and are ready to sign it.

There’s no point in meeting only to begin negotiations from square one, he said, referring to previous summits that in practice prolonged the conflict rather than resolved it.

He also brought up historical cases where heads of state only met to sign already negotiated agreements, not to initiate new processes.

As an example, Medinsky mentioned the Chinese civil war in the 1940s:

Chiang Kai-shek constantly insisted on meeting in person to discuss everything. I believe they met five times, smiled, and posed for photographs, but it did not bring an end to the civil war. The core issues remained unresolved, and the war went on.

The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed Medinsky’s line and stated that Russia considers such a meeting relevant only when a final agreement is in place.

The statements come at a time when the question of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky is once again being discussed internationally as a possible path to peace in Ukraine.

Parties far apart from each other

Many diplomats and international actors, not least in the West, have for a long time advocated direct talks between the two leaders to break the diplomatic deadlock in the conflict.

Volodymyr Zelenskyj has previously expressed a willingness to meet Putin to discuss peace, but has also set demands including the withdrawal of Russian forces and confirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty as prerequisites.

Russia, for its part, has consistently demanded that the talks should be based on Russian security interests, including control over certain territories – something that the Ukrainian government rejects.

Medinsky’s and Peskov’s statements underscore that Russia does not see any immediate room for a summit as long as the fundamental prerequisites for peace are not already established, which makes the conditions for direct dialogue continue to be difficult.

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