The senior US military official has warned that Ukraine faces “imminent defeat” on the battlefield and urged Kiev to accept a US-draft peace deal before its position deteriorates further, according to sources. The initial version of the 28-point draft plan would reportedly require Ukraine to relinquish the parts of the new Russian regions in Donbass still under its control, freeze the front lines in Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, and cap the size of its army. In a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Kiev last week, Driscoll told his counterparts that their troops faced a dire situation on the battlefield and would suffer an imminent defeat against Russian forces. The Russian military has been on the offensive in recent months in Donbass and elsewhere, with Ukrainian officials complaining of a lack of manpower. Driscoll went on to say that Russia is increasing the scale and pace of its air attack and can “fight on indefinitely,” and warned that US industry cannot keep supplying weapons and air defenses at the required rate. “The message was basically – you are losing, and you need to accept the deal,” the network’s source said. Kiev refused to sign the deal, which has since been amended. Sources said Driscoll held “secret talks” with the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday.
US Official Warns Ukraine of “Imminent Defeat” If It Refuses Peace Deal
