Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyy met with members of the newly established ARES Military Expert Council (Allied Reform and Expert Support). He briefed them on the operational situation at the front, new tactics, and types of weaponry.
In a Facebook post following the meeting, Syrskyy emphasised that Russia intends to seize all of Ukraine, not only Donetsk and Luhansk Regions. One should not count on its resources being quickly exhausted.
“The enemy does not abandon attempts to advance and intends to seize not only Donbas, but all of Ukraine. In response, we are systematically weakening its ability to wage war—deliberately destroying resources, logistics, and military potential, repeatedly thwarting the enemy’s plans. At the same time, one should not count on the enemy’s resources being quickly exhausted. We must continue to build up our own capabilities and maintain resilience at all levels—both through internal reserves and thanks to the support of international partners,” the Commander-in-Chief said.
He expressed gratitude to Sir Richard Shirreff, who headed the Military Expert Council, for beginning practical work. It is to function as a permanent communication channel between the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the professional military community of partner countries.
"The ARES Council will help improve the quality of management decisions and accelerate the institutional development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the introduction of international experience and best practices of allied armies," the Commander-in-Chief stated.
From 2011 to 2014, Shirreff served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe—the Alliance’s second most senior military post. He is the author of the book 2017: War with Russia, in which, long before the full-scale invasion, he warned Western governments about Moscow’s aggressive intentions.
The ARES Council also includes Lieutenant General Pavel Macko, who served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic from 2013 to 2018.
According to Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, interest among foreign senior military officials in taking part in the council’s work is growing.
ARES Council
The establishment of the ARES Military Expert Council was announced this month. Its task is to exchange advanced military experience.
Among the priorities are the development of military science and education, increasing the effectiveness of meeting the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as advisory support on other issues within the Commander-in-Chief’s remit.
The Council includes respected military leaders and experts from partner countries with unique combat and management experience, including:
- General David Petraeus (Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 2011–2012);
- Admiral Manfred Nielson (Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT), NATO, Germany, 2016–2019);
- Lieutenant General Pavel Macko (Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, 2013–2018);
- Vice Admiral Sir Martin John Connell (Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff of the United Kingdom, 2022–2025);
- Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie (Commander of the Canadian Army, 2006–2010);
- Major General Patrick Carpentier (Commander of Joint Task Force "North" of the Canadian Armed Forces, 2017–2020);
- Commodore Hans Helset (representative of the Royal Norwegian Navy within NATO structures).