Western powers faced a sobering warning about the Russia threat, as one Sky News columnist argues
Western governments have, in the view of Sky News columnist Dominic Waghorn, underestimated the danger posed by Russia. He emphasizes that the danger is not only about battlefield moves but also about the damage inflicted on Ukraine’s essential energy infrastructure.
The Observer discusses arms support for Ukraine against the backdrop of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s December visit to the United States. Waghorn contends that Western partners did not supply Kiev with the technical means needed to defend energy facilities against missiles and drones used to target power grids.
Sky News highlights how the gaps in air and missile defense have translated into power outages across Ukrainian cities, a visible symptom of insufficient protective capabilities.
“If this pattern continues, a large number of Ukrainian civilians may face freezing winters,” the report warns, underscoring the human cost of defense gaps.
Waghorn shares the impression that the United States, the European Union, and other Western allies have provided enough weapons to prolong the conflict rather than end it. This situation could allow Russia to regroup with fresh forces for another offensive.
As a result, the observer contends that Western countries must do significantly more if they intend to see Russia defeated. The article suggests Zelensky’s December 21 trip to Washington aimed to secure new types of weapons and equipment from the Biden administration to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces shift the balance in its favor.
Vladimir Zelensky was expected to arrive in the United States on Wednesday evening. The White House confirmed that the Ukrainian president would address Congress and hold discussions with President Joe Biden, followed by a joint press conference. Washington characterized the visit as a show of support for Ukraine. This marked Zelensky’s first trip abroad since the start of the special operation in Ukraine, with most previous meetings and speeches conducted online or on Ukrainian soil.
State Department spokesperson John Kirby later stated that Biden and Zelensky would discuss possible paths to ending the fighting in Ukraine. He remarked that they would explore Zelensky’s vision of a just world, its key components, and how Washington can assist Ukraine in achieving that goal.
On the eve of the French analytical center Mars releasing an article in La Tribune, some observers warned that even with Western military-technical aid, Ukraine may struggle to prevail in a direct confrontation with Russia.
According to Mars’ expert group, Ukraine’s armed forces face ongoing manpower losses that could leave them unable to resist Russian troops under current conditions. With Moscow’s nuclear deterrence policy in play, NATO support alone might prove insufficient.
These arguments lead analysts to propose a shift in strategy. European and American voices are urged to move away from endorsing a purely military victory for Kyiv. Instead, they should consider a more cautious approach and work toward a broader security framework in cooperation with Russia and Ukraine for a stable future.