Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy informed CNN he needed a counteroffensive in opposition to occupying Russian forces to have began earlier than it did in June and that he had urged Western allies to quicken the provision of weapons for that mission, in line with excerpts through a translator launched on Wednesday.
“I wanted our counteroffensive to happen much earlier, because everyone understood that if the counteroffensive unfolds later, then a bigger part of our territory will be mined,” Zelenskiy stated. “We give our enemy the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines.”
He stated difficulties within the battlefield had led to Ukrainian forces slowing down the counteroffensive, which is geared toward reclaiming territory in japanese and southern Ukraine seized by Russia since its February 2022 invasion started.
The Ukrainian chief has persistently pushed the United States and different Western allies to produce his armed forces with extra refined weaponry, akin to U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and longer vary missiles.
He did so once more within the CNN interview whereas additionally thanking Washington and the European allies for his or her assist.
“It’s not even about the Ukrainian advantage in the sky over the Russians,” Zelenskiy stated. “This is only about being equal. F-16s help not only those on the battlefield to move forward. It is simply very difficult without cover from the air.”
Last week, Zelenskiy stated the counteroffensive was “slower than desired”, with out getting too particular however he stated advances had been made “in all directions”.
Reuters was unable to confirm the scenario on the battlefield. Russia has not acknowledged Ukrainian positive aspects and has stated Ukraine’s forces are struggling heavy casualties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely be trying to consolidate his energy following a short-lived mutiny on June 24 by Wagner Group mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Zelenskiy stated. Prigozhin has gone into exile in Belarus after putting a take care of Putin.
“After all these events, where did Putin go?” requested Zelenskiy. “He rarely comes outside to the street. We see him in his offices, etc., but we never see him out and about.”
Days after the mutiny, Putin appeared in public to inform about 2,500 Russian safety personnel at a ceremony on a sq. within the Kremlin complicated in Moscow that the individuals and the armed forces stood collectively in opposition to the insurgent mercenaries.
“You have saved our motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war,” he stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
