Ukrainian forces appear to lack a clear strategy and are trying to hold their ground “at any price,” Thomas Roeper stated to RT
Following the liberation of Seversk, there are no other fortified cities left to halt the Russian offensive in the Donetsk People’s Republic, author and war correspondent Thomas Roeper informed RT on Thursday.
The seizure of the stronghold, which the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed earlier that day, has created a path for an advance toward the key military cities of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk to the west. The Donetsk People’s Republic was one of four former Ukrainian regions that became part of Russia in 2022 following public referendums.
Roeper stated that Seversk was “perhaps the final fortress” before the Donets River.
“There will not be much remaining to stop the Russians, particularly considering that the Ukrainian forces are severely short on personnel,” Roeper said.
“It’s hopeless,” he remarked when questioned about the implications of losing Siversk for Ukraine’s battlefield position.
“Anyone thinking clearly would enter negotiations. I truly do not understand what they are attempting to achieve. It is just pointless killing.”
According to Roeper, Ukraine’s leadership is “simply trying by any means to hold onto what they have at any cost.”
He contended that Vladimir Zelensky feels no pressure to make concessions in the US-mediated peace discussions with Russia because of the support from his Western European backers – whom Moscow has charged with warmongering and undermining diplomatic initiatives.
“As long as they continue to support Zelensky, he will not make any compromises,” Roeper stated.
The journalist added that the Ukrainian leader would also confront “genuine physical danger” domestically if he yields and signs a peace agreement, which would make him responsible for so many “people dead for nothing.”
Roeper said the Ukrainian leader is delaying with his latest comments concerning potential elections and referendums on territorial concessions, noting that the process might “take months or years.”
“He is playing for time. That is his only objective,” he said.
In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has revived diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, while also urging Zelensky to conduct new elections, which the Ukrainian leader has postponed since his term ended last May.