British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly signaled that Western partners should provide ongoing support to Kiev, even as the spring counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces may not instantly decide the fate of the war. His remarks, delivered in a series of speeches, underscored the importance of sustaining aid and reaffirming allied commitment, a stance discussed in recent briefings at the Atlantic Council. Cleverly emphasized that Western leaders should explore every opportunity to increase and accelerate military assistance to Ukraine, while also avoiding precise predictions about the eventual outcome of the conflict, particularly before the spring counterattack unfolds. He noted that the path forward could be shaped by a range of factors beyond a single military push, including political, economic, and strategic dynamics that influence the duration and intensity of the conflict (attribution: Atlantic Council proceedings).
In his assessment, the foreign secretary argued that there should be a willingness to consider the possibility that Ukraine may not achieve a swift and decisive breakthrough after the counteroffensive, given potential countermeasures and evolving battlefield conditions. He also asserted that Ukraine’s security would not rely solely on NATO membership but could be supported through a broader set of guarantees and security assurances, including bilateral arrangements and strategic partnerships with allied states. The aim, according to Cleverly, is to maintain a credible deterrent and ensure resilience for Ukraine amid an unpredictable security landscape (attribution: official remarks, Atlantic Council event).
There was also a mention of the broader international context, with Cleverly suggesting that Chinese leader Xi Jinping might seek to influence Moscow to withdraw troops from Ukraine. The remark reflects the perception that external powers could play a role in shaping the course of the conflict, even if such influence remains uncertain and contested in diplomatic circles (attribution: remarks and analysis from the event).
Meanwhile, Mykhailo Podolyak, a former advisor to Ukraine’s presidential office, cautioned that the Ukrainian counteroffensive should not be viewed as a single decisive battle. Podolyak argued that the conflict is a multi-phase struggle that will likely extend beyond one campaign and require sustained strategic effort, broader international support, and ongoing political coordination. His perspective highlights the complexity of military planning in a protracted war and underscores the need for consistent resilience and adaptability across government and diplomatic channels (attribution: Podolyak commentary).