Joe Biden believes the Ukraine conflict will not prolong for an extended period

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Joe Biden has expressed confidence that the War in Ukraine will not be prolonged for years, and reassured that the US will continue its commitment to NATO, regardless of the 2024 presidential election outcome. He made these remarks during his visit to Finland, a recent NATO member, where he cited the weakening position of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the challenges faced by Russian troops. Biden stated that Russia lacked the necessary resources and capacity to sustain the conflict indefinitely, predicting that Putin would eventually decide to end the war due to economic and political reasons. While some members of his administration and allied governments have expressed concerns about the slow progress of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Biden expressed hope that it would pave the way for peace talks. He emphasized the importance of Russia withdrawing its troops, including from Crimea, for the war to end.

Biden’s visit to Finland marked the first by a US president since the controversial press conference held by his predecessor, Donald Trump, five years ago. The US president and other NATO members have repeatedly emphasized the strength and unity of the alliance. However, there are lingering concerns that Trump, if re-elected in 2024, may reduce the US’s leadership role in NATO or even withdraw entirely. Biden reassured that the US will remain connected to NATO, asserting the country’s commitment to its long-term partnership. Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö also affirmed his confidence in the future commitment of the US to NATO, based on consultations he held with lawmakers, including Republicans.

During his visit, Biden also made a lighthearted comment about Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former ally of Putin and the founder of the Wagner mercenary group involved in Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. He joked about Prigozhin’s whereabouts and his relationship with Putin, advising him to be cautious about his food choices. At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Czech President Petr Pavel cautioned that if there is no progress on the ground in Ukraine, negotiations would likely be based on the territorial gains made by Kyiv by the end of the year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged the significant challenges posed by Russia’s fortifications and minefields, which have impacted the progress of Nato-trained Ukrainian brigades.

Ukrainian troops have made limited progress near the devastated city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine and in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, but at a high cost. A soldier from Ukraine’s 17th Tank Brigade, named Danylo, described the ongoing fight near the front line in the Donetsk region as a challenging battle that advances meter by meter and comes at a heavy cost in terms of casualties. The NATO summit this week witnessed disagreements over the timeline for Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance. Putin highlighted concerns about the threat posed by Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, suggesting that alternative security arrangements could be discussed. He stated that his decision to invade Ukraine was influenced by Ukraine’s drive to join NATO. Russia is open to acceptable draft agreements on security arrangements for Ukraine outside of NATO if Russia’s own security is ensured. However, these proposals, which would involve limitations on Ukraine’s military capabilities and the relinquishment of its occupied territories, are unacceptable to Ukraine due to its determination to regain full control of its land.