Russian TV Says Stalled Ukraine Gives Moscow a 'Window of Opportunity'

A pro-Kremlin political analyst said during a recent broadcast of Russian state television that stalled aid to Kyiv provides Moscow's forces with a "window of opportunity" in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The analyst, Alexei Naumov of the Russian International Affairs Council, made the comment during a discussion on a political show that aired on the Kremlin-run HTB channel.

The United States remains Kyiv's biggest supporter in the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022, but some Republican lawmakers have resisted providing more aid. Even though the Senate passed a $95.34 billion foreign aid package earlier this month that includes $61 billion for Ukraine, the package will likely meet more resistance in the Republican-led House of Representatives.

According to Naumov, Russia's forces in Ukraine should take advantage of the flagging aid by pressuring Kyiv into surrendering.

Julia Davis, founder of the Russia Media Monitor watchdog group, posted a translated clip of Naumov's comments to YouTube on Thursday.

While discussing Russia's recent success in the Donetsk Oblast city of Avdiivka, Naumov noted Kremlin officials have stated—without evidence—that the conflict is actually a hybrid war against NATO on Ukraine's territory.

"We should understand that for the Russian Army, it's the best situation since the start of the special military operation," Naumov said, using the Kremlin's preferred phrase "special military operation" for the war.

He continued: "Why? Because Ukraine is retreating, there is no money, there are problems with mobilization. So how will this window of opportunity be used? What is Russia's tactic?

"I think that it is as follows: Simultaneously with our military successes, we hear our president repeating over and over, 'We are ready for a resolution of the conflict.' Right now, the goal is to force Ukrainians to understand that the resistance is futile and peacefully hand everything over."

Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via email for comment on Friday night.

Another guest, political scientist Gevorg Mirzayan, disagreed with Naumov on the final point, saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would never peacefully surrender.

"It can only be taken by force," Mirzayan said of Ukraine, according to Davis' translation.

Last weekend, Russia announced it had taken full control of Avdiivka after Ukraine's military withdrew from the city. The fall of Avdiivka has been called Russia's biggest victory since it took Bakhmut in May 2023.

Though Putin congratulated his troops for the victory, he also said the success of the operation in Avdiivka "needs to be built on."

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