Ukraine gains military advantage as analysts urge allies to capitalize on momentum against Russia

A new report from the Institute for the Study of War argues that the character of the Ukraine-Russia war is shifting in favor of Ukraine, with co-author George Barros telling DW News that Western partners should leverage this moment to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to reconsider his position. According to the analysis, senior Ukrainian military commanders corroborate that Russia's military capacity is deteriorating. The report frames this potential shift as a critical window for diplomatic or military pressure before Russia stabilizes its position. The assessment carries direct consequences for U.S. military aid strategy and the scale of continued American support to Ukraine.