General Milley tells the Economic Club of New York that neither Russia nor Ukraine, in his opinion, can win the war. Diplomats, he believes, need to start looking for ways to begin negotiations.

“When there’s an opportunity to negotiate, when peace can be achieved, seize it,” he says.

The remarks cause a furor: Ukrainians worry that the Biden administration is preparing to abandon them, and White House officials scramble to reassure them that U.S. support remains solid.

READ MORE: Wars, Pandemic, Insurrection, U.F.O.s: Gen. Mark Milley’s Term Had It All