Putin May Be About to Catch a Big Break in Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin could take the upper hand in his war against Ukraine over the next year if Kyiv's Western allies do not step up their military support, according to Czech Republic President Petr Pavel.

Pavel was interviewed by Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera ahead of his scheduled trip this week to meet with his Italian counterpart, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The conversation, which was published Monday, focused on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which officials have begun describing as a "stalemate" as Kyiv continues its offensive campaign to regain Moscow-occupied territory.

"Today as president, I must see the situation not only from the perspective of the battlefield, but rather from that of the principles," Pavel said. "And we have no choice but to give Ukraine everything it needs to succeed in its mission to restore sovereignty and control of its borders: anything less will be our failure."

The Czech leader also raised concerns about the speed at which allies of Ukraine have provided the country with necessary military aid to hold off Russia's invasion. The White House said earlier this month that the U.S. has gone through 96 percent of its funds allocated to Ukraine's fight, and Kyiv officials have previously complained about the slow delivery of weapons and other forms of aid that have been promised by Western countries. Russia has also started to lean on its military allies, including North Korea and Iran, to stock up on artillery and weapons ahead of the brutal winter months.

"If we miss the opportunity to maintain our support for Ukraine, next year could be even more favorable to Moscow," Pavel continued in his interview. "This year is crucial to lay the foundations for success; next year will be more complicated."

"Unfortunately, our deliveries of military equipment are not enough to allow Ukraine to continue a high-intensity operation," the Czech leader added, noting that European allies had not kept their "promises" to supply Ukraine with artillery shells. Pavel also raised concerns over the speed at which Ukrainian pilots were being trained on the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets promised to Kyiv by a handful of NATO countries.

"This creates an imbalance in deliveries and the uncertainty on the Ukrainian side is not a good basis for military planning," Pavel added.

Newsweek reached out to the press office at the U.S. State Department on Tuesday afternoon for comment on Pavel's statements.

Pavel's comments come as Russia faces its highest casualty rates in the war in Ukraine thus far in Moscow's offensive to capture the eastern town of Avdiivka. Despite the heavy losses, however, Russia has made incremental gains toward the strategic city in recent weeks.

According to representatives for the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense (HUR), Russia has produced "115 high-precision missiles" to enhance its stockpile in the month of October alone, including several long-range missiles. British intelligence previously reported that Moscow's momentary pause on airstrikes in Ukraine this fall was a sign that Russia was likely stockpiling its artillery for the coming months.

Pavel added in his interview with Corriere Della Sera that Putin was likely benefiting in recent weeks due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has also garnered the attention of the Western world as countries rush to support Israel's fight against Palestinian militant group Hamas. Pavel also stated earlier this month, as reported by the Czech newspaper Novinky, that he does not believe Ukraine can gain "military superiority" above Russia at the moment, adding, "Time is now in favor of Russia."

The Czech leader, however, said in his interview this week that Kyiv's allies still "have the ability to change" the tide of the war.