I'm John Batscher, with John Hardy, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy is here

to report on the battlefield situation and the thinking, strategic thinking, in Ukraine conflict.

Over these last days, reportedly, another Russian offensive launched against with drones and missiles against

Ukrainian energy sources. We've had these remarks before, but this one was said to be fresh and

new. Much of it was brought down by Ukrainian forces, but not all of it. And so now they're entertaining new possibilities

of lights out for parts of the winter, shortage of heating, shortage of cooking materials.

This looks like a war on people. Do I interpret that genre of my reading propaganda that's

fed by the Ukrainian ministry? I think that genre or am I reading propaganda that's fed by the Ukrainian ministry?

I think that's fair that Russia, part of their objective with these long-ring strikes

and Ukrainian energy and other critical infrastructure is precisely to undermine Ukraine's

economic viability and its ability to function effectively as a state.

And so I think the energy situation in particular is really critical for Ukraine both to get

through this winter and for its position in negotiations and kind of its long-term viability.

We need to find a solution to these strikes, these Russian strikes.

And to me, that's in many ways more important than even what's going on at the front lines.

I think one potential solution to this issue is a mutual moratorium where both Ukraine and

Russia agree to refrain from strikes on each other's critical energy infrastructure.

I think, you know, reportedly preliminary talks on that issue have begun between Russia

and Ukrainian officials.

And so right now, find Biden in the incoming administration, I'd be

looking for ways to increase Ukraine's leverage in those talks. So one way to do that is by allowing

Ukraine to use Western missiles, such as attack them for strikes not only in Kurosko Blast,

...