Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announces long-awaited counteroffensive to reclaim land taken by Russia – but admits ‘a large number of soldiers will die’
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is finally ready to launch its long-anticipated counteroffensive against Russia
- The Ukrainian president said he ‘strongly believes’ the military push will ‘succeed’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to launch a sensational counteroffensive to take back areas of Russian occupied territory.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Zelenskyy insisted: ‘We strongly believe that we will succeed’.
‘I don’t know how long it will take,’ he continued. ‘To be honest, it can go a variety of ways, completely different. But we are going to do it, and we are ready.’
The planned counteroffensive comes after President Joe Biden has poured over $75 billion into the conflict, while Zelenskyy said last month the attack would only be possible when more armored vehicles arrived on the front lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pictured speaking on June 2, 2023, has announced the Ukrainian military is readying a counteroffensive against Russian forces
In recent weeks, Ukrainian military officials have increased the number of strikes on Russian ammunition depots.
And amid a stretch of dry weather in the region that readies battleground conditions, anticipation has grown over the long-awaited counteroffensive push.
However, Zelenskyy admitted that Russia’s aerial dominance could be devastating, as he predicted his military would suffer heavy losses.
‘A large number of soldiers will die,’ he said.
His comments came as Ukraine continues to push for NATO membership, however he admitted he didn’t expect to join while the conflict was ongoing.
Instead, he said he is seeking a pledge that Ukraine will be admitted later, which he plans to secure at a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania in July.
‘If we are not given a signal in Vilnius, I believe there is no point for Ukraine to be at this summit,’ he said.
When asked if he thought the crucial deal would be made at the summit, he said: ‘I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.’
Ukrainian military forces have received billions in funding ahead of their counteroffensive
Zelenskyy admitted his latest push could mean ‘a large number of soldiers will die’
Zelenskyy also chimed in on the incoming US presidential election, where both frontrunners for the GOP nomination, Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, have indicated they would reduce America’s role in the conflict.
The former president declined to say last month whether he would back Ukraine if he wins a second term, however he did vaguely promise to end the war within 24 hours.
And DeSantis sparked controversy in March when he described the conflict in Ukraine as a ‘territorial dispute’, comments he has since walked back on.
Zelenskyy expressed concern that a change in administration could affect his plans to counter the Russian invasion.
‘In a situation like this, when there is support, you are afraid of changes,’ he said.
‘And to be honest, when you mention a change of administration, I feel the same way as any other person—you want changes for the better, but it can also be the other way around.’
The Ukrainian president admitted that Trump’s claim he could end the war in a day left him scratching his head, as he hadn’t done so when Russia had already invaded Crimea and was readying further invasion plans while he was in office.
‘I’m not sure how Trump would have acted,’ he added.
Both former President Donald Trump (left) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (right) have indicated they may look to reduce America’s role in the Ukrainian conflict
Looking forward as he attempts to secure military backing ahead of his counteroffensive, Zelenskyy noted his efforts to win international backing in the conflict.
Chief to this effort is a summit he is attempting to forge around his 10-point peace plan, calling for all Russian forces to retreat from Ukrainian territory.
‘Putin has to know that people won’t shake his hand, that he no longer sits at the table with serious countries, that Russia is not part of international organizations,’ he added.
However, he insisted China, which has not publicly condemned Russia’s invasion, will have an important role to play in ending the war.
‘I would not want such a country to stand by and watch people die,’ he said. ‘If you are big, this is what national greatness means. This is not a painting or a museum; it is a real, bloody war.’
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