“Ukraine’s counteroffensive is not easy because Russian forces mined 20,000 square km” – Zelensky

Russian forces laid mines across a wide area of Ukraine, making it difficult for defense forces to advance, says President Volodymyr Zelensky in his interview with BBC. 

Zelensky stressed the need to provide Ukraine with security guarantees from NATO. He also said that the final goal is membership in the defense alliance.

Some people think we're in a Hollywood movie, and expect immediate results. It's not like that, he said.

Zelensky explained that it is difficult for Ukrainian forces to make gains because Russian troops laid mines across 200,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land.

Regardless of what others want us to do, including their attempts to put pressure on us, with all due respect, we will continue advancing on the battlefield in ways we deem appropriate, the Ukrainian president stressed. 

Zelensky recalled this week, the NATO Secretary General refuted a plan to invite Ukraine to the summit in Lithuania next month.

Stoltenberg knows my attitude. We have repeatedly told them: 'Do not knock the earth out from under our feet,  the President emphasized.

The Head of State once again appealed to Western allies to send Ukraine American-made F-16 fighters. He expressed confidence that Ukrainian pilots could begin training in August. The first aircraft can arrive in 6-7 months.

On June 21, during the International Conference URC23 (Ukraine Recovery Conference), the Ukrainian leader also noted that the state needs support not only for recovery but also for future transformation.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon expressed confidence that Ukrainian forces have the assets they need for their offensive operations to be successful.