The Times: UK defused Ukraine-US tensions after changes to counteroffensive plans in 2023

The Times has reported that the UK played a key role in restoring dialogue between Kyiv and Washington after Ukraine changed its agreed-upon counteroffensive plans in 2023.

Source: European Pravda, citing an article by The Times

Details: The Times sources described the depth of UK officials' involvement in planning Ukraine's counteroffensive in 2023 and in relations with the then-US military leadership.

According to the article, Ukraine's counteroffensive, initially set for March, was postponed due to expectations of additional weapon supplies from its allies, a delay that allowed Russia to fortify its positions.

"Ukraine kept waiting until they would have all the kit, we kept saying you need to just go, Russia is not strong. You need to challenge them, you’ve got enough kit," a British military source told The Times.

Another issue was that, instead of concentrating forces on a single front in the south, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following advice from then-Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi, authorised the redeployment of troops to the east.

The Times notes that Washington was "impatient" and expected a quick result on the south front. It was at this point, when the counteroffensive had not been successful, that "relations between the Ukrainians and Americans hit rock bottom," the article says.

During this period, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the UK Defence Staff, cut short his holiday and travelled to Kyiv to address the situation. He held a secret meeting with Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and conducted a video call with his American counterparts, as reported by The Times. Lieutenant General Sir Roly Walker also played a role in facilitating communications between the Americans and Ukrainians.

As a result, in August, Radakin, Zaluzhnyi and General Christopher Cavoli, Commander of US Army Europe and Africa, met in person at the Polish-Ukrainian border. During a five-hour discussion, they focused on the plans of the Ukrainian forces for the winter and the following year.

"It was a sign that the Americans were not going anywhere soon," The Times writes.

The article also highlights that the UK granted its military slightly more freedom of action than the US, allowing them to plan visits to Ukraine. One notable example cited is when Radakin visited Kyiv in civilian clothes to avoid drawing attention.

Background: Last month, The New York Times posted a major article stating that Washington viewed Ukraine's operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast as a breach of trust. However, the US did not halt its support, recognising the need to prevent the deaths of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers already within Russia.

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