Russia has ‘failed’ to achieve objectives in Ukraine, US says

Russia has failed to achieve its goals in Ukraine, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said, warning that despite the apparent Russian setbacks, the war will not end “easily or rapidly”.Speaking from the White House on Tuesday, Sullivan said Russia had set three objectives for itself when it started its “unprovoked” invasion: subjugating Ukraine, enhancing Moscow’s power and prestige, and dividing the West. “Russia has thus far manifestly failed to accomplish all three objectives. In fact, it has thus far achieved the opposite,” said Sullivan, adding that “brave” Ukrainians have refused to submit to Russian forces.
“Although Russia may take more territory in these brutal military operations, it will never take the country away from the Ukrainian people.” Still, Sullivan predicted that the violence will get worse in the near future. “There will be hard days ahead in Ukraine – hardest for the Ukrainian troops on the front lines and the civilians under Russian bombardment,” he said. Despite US assertions that Russia’s invasion is stalling, President Vladimir Putin recently stressed that the war was unfolding “successfully, in strict accordance with pre-approved plans”.