Russian forces 'simply can't seize Kyiv' and are 'making it up as they go along,' says former US NATO ambassador

The former US Ambassador to NATO believes that Russia doesn't have the ability to seize the Ukrainian capital.

Speaking on ABC News on Sunday, Lute shared his thoughts on Russia's ability to take over Kyiv, after host Martha Raddatz asked if Russian forces had given up on seizing the target.

I think that Kyiv is beyond their means. They cannot replace the Zelenskyy government. I think they are still trying to figure out what they want. They are making it up as they go along.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking for opportunities and will grab the first good one.

—This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 24, 2022

After several weeks of war with Ukraine, Russian forces withdrew from the area around Kyiv earlier this month. Ukrainian police said over 900 bodies have been discovered in areas surrounding Kyiv, and many of them appear to be civilians who were simply executed by Russian troops.

A new phase of Russia's attack on Ukraine began last week. Christopher Woody of Insider reported that the US and other Western countries are giving heavier weaponry to the country in order to help it in its fight against the Russians.

Some of the same Russian shortfalls may be on display again in the Donbas region.

The problems that the Russian army demonstrated in phase one of the fight were outmatched by the Ukrainians. The same shortfalls by the Russian military will be on display in the Donbas.

He said that it was not possible to reform an army in a couple of weeks. I expect many of the same failures because this is the same Russian army.

The former ambassador said that Putin may want to expand Russia's power, but it is not within his means.

There is a big gap between his aims and his means. Both sides still think they can win.