Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued in the same direction in 2023, and with the confirmation of Western support for the country led by Volodymyr Zelensky at the beginning of the year, there was a general stagnation in guaranteeing the necessary measures to Kiev in the second half of the year. Funds to restart the Ukrainian counteroffensive launched in May to liberate Russia-conquered territories.
Generally speaking, the war is at a stalemate and there is no certainty as to where it will progress. The Ukrainian army came to the end of 2023 with many doubts, as Republicans in the United States blocked the $61 billion budget allocated for the purchase of weapons and ammunition. It got worse when Hungary paralyzed another 50 billion euros that the European Union wanted to allocate to the occupied country for the next 4 years.
The landscape has changed since late 2022, when some Western leaders agreed that Russia was on track to lose the war through attrition. They underestimated Vladimir Putin, who was capable of restarting the war without irreparably endangering his economy.
In 2023, the Wagner Group, a paramilitary organization consisting of mercenaries ‘hired’ by Russia, was of great importance. Wagnerites revolted against Russia’s status in June 2023. The rebel forces, led by their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, advanced in the direction of Moscow until they decided to withdraw after reaching an agreement. Prigozhin died shortly afterwards, along with his dome. Ukraine could not benefit from this blow to Russia. Meanwhile, Kiev’s pro-European aspirations continue to advance under bombardment.