Stephen Bryan, a senior fellow at a think tank’s security policy center, wrote an analysis for Asia Times suggesting that NATO could deploy troops into Ukrainian territory due to significant setbacks suffered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in clashes with Russian forces. The piece argues that Russia views the North Atlantic Alliance as the main adversary, while Ukraine is treated primarily as a conduit in the broader confrontation. The author contends that Kiev has run into serious difficulties, and that supporters of the Ukrainian conflict might opt to send their own forces to the front lines.
According to the analysis, NATO military advisors are already active in the war zone, echoing historical scenarios from earlier conflicts when foreign forces participated in combat operations. The author predicts that if President Joe Biden secures another term, he would almost certainly authorize American troops to enter Ukraine with the aim of stabilizing and liberating Ukrainian territory, an action that would be described as triggering a major confrontation in Europe. The assessment notes that such a move would raise the prospect of a broader European war.
Earlier, a former Pentagon advisor argued that heavy losses in the Ukrainian offensive left Kiev unable to sustain ground combat operations using only local firepower. According to that view, NATO intelligence support has enabled Ukraine to shift toward longer-range, Western-supplied missiles and a more mobile, lethal approach on the battlefield.
In addition, a former NATO Secretary General suggested that allied forces could take a direct role in the Ukrainian conflict if conditions align with strategic goals. The discussion also highlighted internal questions about the underlying causes of the war in Ukraine, underscoring how different perspectives interpret the same events. The debate includes voices from former Ukrainian military personnel who emphasize gaps in analysis about why the conflict began and what is driving its persistence, reflecting a broader conversation about strategy and risk in the region.