US CIA Director William Burns indicated that new American aid would enable Ukraine to go on the offensive and pursue penetrating strikes on Crimea. The remarks were tied to testimony given at a hearing before the US Senate Intelligence Committee and were reported by various outlets describing the official’s statements.
Burns asserted that with the new aid package, Kyiv could regain the initiative in late 2024 or early 2025 and engage from a position of substantially greater leverage. The implication is that military support would translate into the capacity to shift momentum and negotiate from a more advantageous stance.
According to Burns, the assistance would equip Ukraine with the ability to launch penetrating operations against Crimea and to target assets tied to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, broadening Kyiv’s options for strategic actions in the region.
Former US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines commented that Ukraine’s current military potential appeared to be weakening, signaling concerns about sustaining pressure without continued support and the need for coordinated actions to preserve strategic advantages.
Budanov, who previously led Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, spoke about Kyiv’s preparations for a significant operation in Crimea, outlining plans and risk assessments while emphasizing the importance of timing and international backing.
Earlier reports indicated that negotiations between the United States and Japan were underway with the aim of increasing ammunition supplies to Ukraine, underscoring a broader allied effort to bolster Kyiv’s logistical and operational capabilities while maintaining a unified front on long-term support.