"... Mr. Zelensky’s decision to move now was surely made with an eye on the U.S. political calendar and worries that Ukraine will face pressure to negotiate with Russia after the November election, especially if Republican nominee Donald Trump wins. Mr. Trump’s continuing praise of Mr. Putin and his party’s reluctance this year about aid to Ukraine are worrisome signs of what they would do given more power.
"Mr. Zelensky might be thinking practically about how to save Ukraine regardless of who wins in November. If Ukraine manages to hold a sizable chunk of Russian territory, it could provide valuable leverage for a land-for-land trade in any future peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukraine is sending drones deep into Russian territory and might renew its request for permission to use longer-range U.S. missiles to target Russian air bases that have been used to stage the bombing of Ukrainian civilians.
"Ukraine
has proved yet again its determination to resist Russian aggression
despite long odds, discrediting those who argue its cause is unworthy or
futile. The United States and Europe should give Ukraine all possible
means to end the war in a position of strength and as a functioning,
prosperous democracy aligned with the West." -- Washington Post editorial board, on Ukraine's continuing, successful incursion into the Kursk region of Russia. There's little doubt what would happen should Putin puppet Malignant Loser win in November, just one more reason to make sure that doesn't come to pass.
