U.S. believes in success of Ukraine's counteroffensive - Biden's adviser

This was stated by the White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria.

“Exactly how much, in what places, that will be up to developments on the ground as the Ukrainians get this counteroffensive underway,” Sullivan said. “But we believe that the Ukrainians will meet with success in this counteroffensive.”

He added that the U.S. believes the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive will lead to the regaining of "strategically significant territory".

He said developments on the battlefield would have a "major impact" on any future talks.

“But what I will say is this: President Zelensky himself has said that this war will end ultimately through diplomacy,” Sullivan said.

Earlier, ex-Director of the CIA, General David Petraeus, said that the counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Army will be impressive and reach its climax in the first three to four days.