Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that the Russian counterattacks in the Kursk region, partially controlled by the armed forces of Ukraine after their large-scale invasion last month, have so far not marked "serious success", reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
During a conference dedicated to charity, Zelensky said the situation around the strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine remains complex. Russian forces continue to gradually advance in the region.
At the same time, the president stated, quoted by Ukrinform, that while Ukraine expects from its partners the delivery of the promised "Patriot" air defense systems, Russia continues to attack the country. He expressed hope that the country's allies will change their position regarding the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine.
„If anyone just looks at the map from where Russia strikes, where it trains its forces and keeps its reserves, where its military facilities are and what are the logistics routes it uses, if anyone sees all this, they will know for sure from what long-range capabilities Ukraine needs”, the president emphasized.
Zelensky noted that he recently discussed the issue with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. According to the president, after this meeting, there can no longer be any questions why Ukraine needs sufficient long-range strike capabilities.
„I want to emphasize: I am talking about sufficient capabilities, not just saying there is a solution. Capabilities sufficient to change the course of the war and make Russia want peace. "We really hope for our partners, we hope for results from them," added the head of state.
At the same time, Zelensky said that the “plan for victory”, which he wants to present to his American counterpart Joe Biden later this month, will “pave the way” towards achieving sustainable peace after the war that has been going on for two and a half years.