During the Fourth International Forum of the International Crimea Platform Expert Network, a panel discussion was held on the topic ‘War of Attrition: How Can Ukraine Neutralize the Threat Without a Truce’. Its purpose was to discuss a new strategic framework focused on the gradual weakening of Russia’s operational capabilities, strengthening Ukraine’s military, political, and economic resilience, and ensuring coordinated and long-term Western support—particularly in the context of shifts in U.S. policy and the growing role of Europe. This approach would make possible Ukraine’s recovery and economic development under conditions of ongoing threat and bring closer the de-occupation of Crimea.
Following the collapse of recent negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict, experts are questioning what Ukraine’s next strategic objective should be and what it aims to achieve in terms of military support. Alina Frolova, Coordinator of the Crimea Platform Expert Network Security Track and Deputy Chairperson of the Centre for Defence Strategies, raised the issue during the Fourth International Forum of the CPEN.
“Every military knows that an operation begins with a clear definition of objectives. You allocate resources based on the goal,” Frolova said. “That’s why the slogan ‘we will give as much as needed’ signals the absence of a strategic goal. russia will not stop fighting. Any truce is conditional at best. The war will continue until Putin’s regime changes. There may be a window of opportunity, but it is limited.”
Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, emphasized that despite the successes of the enemy’s defense industry, Russia’s military potential is declining. At the same time, the Lieutenant General noted that Russia should not be underestimated in its ability to master new means of warfare and in the readiness of the aggressor state’s population to fight.
The task of the international community is to create realities for Russia that it will be forced to accept. At the same time, Europe and Ukraine must rely on their own resources, as the United States is no longer a reliable partner. This opinion was expressed during the Fourth International Forum of the International Crimea Platform Expert Network by James Sherr, Senior Fellow of the International Centre for Defence and Security.
“The Trump administration can no longer be relied upon as the foundation of Western security. We cannot be certain that they are trustworthy partners. Therefore, it is essential for Europe and Ukraine to act jointly and to develop their own resources and capabilities,’ James Sherr emphasized.”
Western partners do not perceive the war in Ukraine as one that will define the world order. Such an approach prevents Ukraine from acting fully both on the battlefield and in the diplomatic arena,” stated Mykola Bielieskov, Expert at the National Institute for Strategic Studies, Senior Analyst at the Come Back Alive Foundation.
