Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia may intensify its offensive and stressed that Kiev would only accept a "fair peace", despite calls from the West for a quick resolution to the conflict.
In an interview with the "France Presse" agency, quoted by BNR, the Ukrainian head of state once again repeated his demands that the allies send his country more combat aircraft and air defense equipment. According to him, the biggest advantage for Russia is the ban on Ukraine using weapons from Western countries for strikes on Russian territory.
Russian troops have been able to make slow and gradual advances over the past few months, but have made major gains along the northeastern border since the start of the offensive in the Kharkiv region on May 10, according to AFP. However, Zelensky stressed to the agency that Ukraine will hold the defensive lines and stop any major Russian breakthrough. "No one will give up," the Ukrainian president told AFP. He also said that the situation in Kharkiv region is under control, but not stabilized.
Regarding the mobilization law, which will enter into force today, Zelensky admitted that there is a problem with morale and recruitment of soldiers in the Ukrainian army.
Zelensky called on China and the countries of the developing world to attend next month's peace summit in Switzerland. According to him, countries like China have influence on Moscow. Russia has not been invited to the forum, France Press recalls.