Photo: Getty images
In the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, two Ukrainian generals travelled from Kyiv on a secret mission tothe US military base in Wiesbaden, Germany. According to The New York Times, they arrived under diplomatic cover to agree on strategic cooperation that made Washington’s involvement in the war much deeper than previously thought.
According to American journalists, at the US Army headquarters in Europe, the generals entered into a partnership that became a “secret weapon” in Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Washington provided Kyiv with intelligence, planning and technological support. This allowed Ukrainian forces to eliminate or wound more than 700,000 Russian troops.
However, over time, the partnership became strained. The Ukrainian commanders wanted a complete victory, while the Americans urged caution. Washington did not always approve of Kyiv’s operations, and Ukrainians complained about insufficient support. In 2023, these contradictions led to the failure of the counteroffensive, which became a hostage to internal political struggles.
