Bloomberg: Russia Prepares New Offensive Against Ukraine
- 4.09.2025, 9:09
After the failure of a grueling summer campaign.
European leaders have expressed growing concern that Russia is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine. They said this during a meeting with President Vladimir Zelensky discussing security guarantees.
This was reported by Bloomberg.
At a security council meeting in Toulon last week, German and French officials discussed the amassing of Russian troops near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The sources said Russia has moved large forces there.
Situation near Pokrovsk
Zelensky said Friday that Russia has concentrated about 100,000 troops on the front line near the town. The Kremlin has been trying to surround and capture Pokrovsk for more than a year, but without success.
Capturing the town would open the way for Russia to attack Kramatorsk and Slavyansk. Moscow is seeking to take control of the entire Donetsk region.
Paris meeting and U.S. role
A so-called coalition of the resolute will meet in Paris to finalize discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine after the war. The leaders also intend to talk to Donald Trump.
Europeans expect to clarify US commitments and get Washington to strengthen sanctions against Russia. France wants to show that Europe has done its part and now it's the U.S. president's turn.
French President Emmanuel Macron said in Paris with Zelensky that Europe is ready to provide security guarantees to Kiev. The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Poland are also expected to attend the meeting, while the leaders of Britain, Italy and Germany will join via video link.
Despite Trump's attempts to promote an end to the war, including his meeting with Putin in Alaska, Moscow has shown no willingness for a truce. Although the U.S. president has threatened sanctions, he has yet to enact them.
Disagreements in Europe
Europeans are discussing possible security guarantees for Ukraine, including the option of sending soldiers after the fighting ends. The issue remains contentious among allies and has been categorically rejected by Russia.
Trump has ruled out sending U.S. troops but has allowed air and intelligence support. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said Ukraine should agree to the security architecture, but Russia "should be comfortable" as well.
NATO and the negotiation process
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said there could be more engagement with the United States once European consultations are complete. He emphasized that clarity on guarantees is crucial ahead of any meetings between Putin and Zelensky.
Diplomatic efforts, however, are stalling. Sources say the talks have stalled after a flurry of activity in early August, while Russia is preparing for new attacks.
Course of the war and casualties
Russia's grueling summer offensive campaign has so far failed to yield significant territorial gains for the Kremlin. Moscow's forces have advanced slowly, capturing 2,033 square kilometers between May and August, or 0.3 percent of Ukraine's total area.
At the same time, Russia has stepped up air attacks. According to the UN, July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since May 2022: 589 people were killed and 1,152 injured. An Aug. 28 strike on Kiev killed at least 25 people.
Support for the Ukrainian army
As the war continues, Zelensky and his allies are working to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that "this is the most important security guarantee we can give."
He noted that the deployment of foreign troops can only be discussed after a ceasefire. Merz emphasized that the strengthening of Ukraine's army should continue in parallel with any negotiations with Russia.
"Ukraine must be able to defend itself in the long term, and we want to help it do that, both now and in the future," the German chancellor said.
Merz also said it must be guaranteed that Russia will no longer be able to support its military economy. "In this context, I am talking about economic depletion, which we must contribute to," Merz said.
Merz called Putin a war criminal. "He is probably the most serious war criminal of our time that we are now seeing on a large scale," Merz said.
Merz said Putin sees no reason to reach a cease-fire or peace agreement with Ukraine. "I have no reason to believe Putin," he added.