The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

It is no secret that the US has been fuelling the war in Ukraine against Russia in its own national interests; making billions of dollars in the arms and oil industry and keeping European countries tethered to it, while Britain has traditionally played pooch to the US and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, playing America’s geopolitical puppet, is happily shedding Ukrainian blood and presides over destruction of his own country – dancing to the tune of his masters in Washington.

Americans hailed Zelenskyy during his visit to Washington and promised all possible help including Patriot missile systems. The POTUS Joe Biden signed another $2.5 billion worth weapons package for Kiev while Zelenskyy pleaded for more advanced weaponry. Back from the US, Zelenskyy was vehement that there would no talks till Russian troops vacate Ukrainian territory. He also boasted that thousands of Russian forces, tanks, drones and aircraft have been destroyed while Russia is engaged in killing civilians. The 36-hour ceasefire announced by Russia during Christmas was pooh-poohed by Zelenskyy and his mentors in Washington.

Experts believe these new tanks will make no difference unless they are supplied in large numbers such as 400 or above

Since the launch of Russia’s special operations in Ukraine in February 2022, the western propaganda has been harping about Russia losing the war. Russia was to be brought to its knees but that has not happened. On the contrary, Russia is planning a fresh offensive which appears to have rattled the West. Russia has strengthened its positions on the frontline including locations close to Melitopol and Mariupol, which would complicate any counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces. Moreover, anticipating that attacks on Crimea would be responded to by Russia attacking Odessa, the UN has been persuaded to declare Odessa as a World Heritage Site – as if that would matter in war.

The US has announced the intent to supply Abrams tanks to Ukraine after training Ukrainian troops to operate them and Britain plans to supply Challenger 2 tanks and artillery to Ukraine. Under US pressure, France is to supply Leclerc tanks to Ukraine and Germany Leopard 2 tanks. On immediate basis, Poland is transferring 14 x German-origin Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Russia has said, these western tanks will burn same way Ukrainian tanks are being destroyed by Russian forces. Experts believe these new tanks will make no difference unless they are supplied in large numbers such as 400 or above.

Russia said supply of these modern tanks indicates direct involvement of US-NATO in the war. Interestingly, former US President who has been given access to META (Facebook) again, wrote on his social media network ‘Truth Social’ that he would have agreed to end the conflict in Ukraine within a day if he were President. Trump had earlier said that after the transfer of weapons to Ukraine by the West, a nuclear conflict could unleash.

Russia is planning a fresh offensive which appears to have rattled the West

A recent significant development is US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken detailing David Ignatius of the US State Department to convey an urgent message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the UN Security Council, and the General Staff in Moscow. This is an offer for a tradeoff – a demilitarised zone (DMZ) in the east of Ukraine in exchange for a halt to the planned Russian offensive. The US has reportedly offered Russia territorial concessions to include Crimea, Donbas, and Zaporozhe-Kherson land bridge connecting Russia with Crimea.

The US has also agreed to “restrict” the deployment of HIMARS, US-NATO infantry fighting vehicles, Abrams and Leopard tanks in Ukraine, which possibly is because of western inability to supply weapons and ammunition to Kiev matching the rate at which these are being destroyed by Russians. But no details are available with regard to the US proposal with regard to: whether Donbas mentioned conforms to the “original” Donbas demanded by Russia; what DMZ “East of Ukraine” implies, who will guard it and is it required if independent entities of LPR and DPR are acknowledged and Crimea acknowledged part of Russia?

In addition to the above, Russia would want guarantee that Ukraine, Finland and Sweden are not made NATO members and NATO missile systems are not deployed in these countries, even as NATO-member Turkiye has vetoed NATO membership for Sweden for the time being. On face value, the above proposal appears an attempt to “delay” the Russian offensive. The sincerity of the US is also questionable after it went back on its promise made at the time of breakup of the Soviet Union that NATO will not expand further.

Russia would want guarantee that Ukraine, Finland and Sweden are not made NATO members and NATO missile systems are not deployed in these countries

The Biden administration apparently is under pressure having lost control of the House of Representatives. Moreover, confidential documents have been found on the premises of Joe Biden, and an inquiry has been initiated of America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan under Biden for handing over Afghanistan to the Taliban and abandoning $92 billion worth of weapons and military equipment.

Finally, despite the US already having an external debt of $31 trillion, the Biden Administration wants the US Congress to lift all debt ceiling so that the US can continue printing dollars, which the Republicans are not agreeing to. This demand of the Biden Administration may also be to enable fueling the war in Ukraine. How sincere is the US about peace in Ukraine only time will tell given America’s past history. Hopefully, better sense will prevail.