A senior Ukrainian official told reporters that Ukraine had made it clear to the U.S., amid Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate a settlement to the conflict with Russia, that any restrictions on the size or readiness of its military would be unacceptable.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has stated that he wants to limit the size of Ukraine’s army. He also said that Kyiv had to give up its NATO ambitions and Moscow needed to control all four Ukrainian regions.

Pavlo Palisa, a senior official in the Ukrainian government, said that the country would not dictate what type of armed forces it should have.

Palisa, a deputy director of the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was a member of the Ukrainian delegation that met with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia for discussions last month.

He said that a well-prepared Ukrainian army would be Kyiv’s best security measure against any new Russian attacks, should a ceasefire agreement or peace treaty be reached.

I can guess the Russian Federation’s motivation- perhaps they want to prepare themselves for the future or make it easier, but not. Palisa said, “Our task is to make sure we learn from the past.”

After a short pause, Washington resumed its military assistance and intelligence sharing with Kyiv after a meeting with U.S. officials.

Russia, however, said that crucial conditions had to be met before a ceasefire was possible. Both sides agreed separately to stop attacks on the other’s energy installations but now accuse each other of violating their agreements.

Kyiv has said it may hold another round of discussions with U.S. officials in the coming week.

Ukrainian officials claim they have shared with the United States evidence of Russian attacks against energy infrastructure. Palisa stated that Kyiv honors the agreement.

Trump’s administration is pushing for an end to the full-scale war that Russia launched in February 2022. However, a lasting peace agreement appears far away.

Ukraine’s top military official has confirmed that a Russian offensive is underway in the northeast of the country. Russia controls about a fifth (or more) of Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine, aside from its armed forces and territorial claims, has stated that it would never recognize Russian sovereignty. However, it has been acknowledged publicly that it is not possible to reclaim some territory through force.

RUSSIA’S SPRING OFFENSIVE

Palisa stressed the importance of Kyiv’s U.S. and European partners providing security guarantees that could deter future Russian assaults.

The United States is not committing to provide security guarantees. However, some European countries have discussed the possibility of deploying a contingent of troops to boost deterrence.

Palisa predicted that Russia would intensify its attacks later this month and into May.

Officials said that they believed Russia would concentrate its offensive on Pokrovsk in the east but also could push along the eastern fronts around Kupiansk and Lyman and the southern fronts of Zaporizhzhia.

He said, “My absolute priority is now the Pokrovsk route.”

Russian forces are trying to surround the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk to achieve their goal of gaining full control over Ukraine’s Donetsk Region.

Kyiv is uncertain about the future of U.S. Military aid. Lack of new aid may affect the supply of missiles to its Patriot air defense system, as well as offensive HIMARS and HIMARS ATACMS.

Palisa stated earlier this month that Ukraine has not yet discussed additional assistance with the U.S. but that it could be raised during the ceasefire negotiation.

He said that Ukraine was investing in its own air defences. He added that several nations agreed to transfer technical documentation and licenses for “certain equipment” production in the country.

The process is quite dynamic and moving.