U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley predicted on the 31st that it would be difficult for Ukrainian forces to expel Russian troops from their territory within this year.
Chairman Milley also said that it is necessary to refrain from mentioning the possibility of war between the United States and China, which has often been mentioned in recent media and some experts, is ‘overheating’.
Chairman Milley said this in an interview with Defense One, a media specializing in defense, while forecasting major security issues.
Ukraine Victory Unlikely This Year, Milley Says https://t.co/bsAXd4U67k via @DefenseOne @DefenseBaron
— Defense One (@DefenseOne) March 31, 2023
“I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it’s very difficult,” Milley said, referring to Ukrainian forces defeating the Russians.
“They are failing tactically,” he said of the Russians.
In addition, fears regarding an alliance between China and Russia were evaluated as premature.
“There are some indications that talks[between China and Russia]are under way,” Milley said, “but it’s a completely different situation with the actual (materialized) alliance or military.”
Milley previously testified to the House Armed Services Committee on the 29th that the Russian army was being pushed back by the Ukrainian army due to poor training.
READ ALSO: US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman “Ukrainian Army Fights Very Well in Bakhmut”
In fact, the Russian military has not been able to make much progress on the battlefield in Ukraine recently.
There was an observation that a ‘Spring Offensive’ would be carried out, but there is no large-scale operation other than the eastern battleground Bahmut and surrounding areas.
Russia is known to be receiving ammunition from North Korea due to a recent shortage of military supplies.
On the 30th, the White House released new information that Russia was funding Ukraine’s war resources in exchange for food and ammunition from North Korea.
See also: White House “Russia seeks to provide food and ammunition to North Korea”…Russia orders American journalist to be detained for 2 months “The reason is top secret”
■ “Overheated mention of the possibility of war between the US and China”
Meanwhile, Chairman Milley said in an interview on the day (31st) that it is necessary to calm down the recent comments regarding the possibility of a US-China war.
‘Lower the Rhetoric’ on China, Says Milley | @DefenseBaron https://t.co/DBHeJJWBqi
— Defense One (@DefenseOne) March 31, 2023
“It might happen,” Milley said of predictions that the US and China would clash militarily. that it can,” he explained.
Conflict can happen under any circumstances.
But “I don’t think we can put that possibility into the (realized) category at this point,” Milley emphasized.
In particular, analysts who said that a US-China war is inevitable said, “I think it is very dangerous,” and “I do not think that war is inevitable.”
“I don’t think it (the US-China war) is imminent,” he reiterated, “I think we have to be very pragmatic and prudent going forward.”
In addition, he added, “I think it should be more realistic and less emotional, and the same goes for China,” adding, “The United States should approach it with cool and cool realism.”
He added that “the rhetoric itself” referring to the US-China war might overheat the environment.
■ Taiwan needs to send weapons quickly
As for the situation in Taiwan, however, Milley stressed that the United States should send weapons to contain China as soon as possible.
Milley explained that Taiwan currently needs air defense, anti-ship cruise missiles and anti-ship mines.
SEE ALSO: US approves $619 million arms sale to Taiwan
He said Taiwan was “advantageous for defense” and “will be a very difficult island for (China) to occupy.”
This is VOA News Jongsu Oh.
