The U.S. Pentagon has hailed the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson as «a great victory for the Ukrainian people and their Army,» although it has warned that Moscow does not seem willing to give up the remaining territories so «there is certainly still a tough fight ahead.»
«The most significant development over the weekend has been the withdrawal of the Russian Army from the city of Kherson and the west bank of the Dnieper River,» the U.S. Defense Department said in a statement, quoting one of its officials.
Despite this achievement, Washington has warned that the Russians «do not seem willing» to continue to give ground so that «there is certainly still a tough fight ahead». At the same time, it regretted the damage caused in Kherson, including vital civilian infrastructure, by Kremlin troops.
With the onset of winter, the United States is speculating that the fighting may subside. However, the Pentagon has stressed that military aid will not. «We will continue to work with them, along with our allies and international partners to ensure they have what they need,» he has said.
A week ago the United States announced a new aid package for Ukraine valued at $400 million, as part of the $18.6 billion in military assistance Washington has pledged to deliver since the start of the invasion of Ukraine nearly nine months ago now.