Ukraine's Crucial Moment: Will the West Seize the Chance for Settlement?

Ukraine's upcoming counteroffensive against Russian forces is seen as a game-changer by many Western officials and analysts, with high stakes for Ukraine's political and military future. A successful counteroffensive would reinforce Ukrainian advantages and weaken Russia, while a failed one could lead to Western critics of aid and calls for a ceasefire that leaves Moscow in possession of much or all of the territory it now occupies. The political prestige of both Ukraine and the US would be at stake if the offensive failed.