Zelensky discusses front line, occupied territories, and US support in new interview
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to the Tg1 television channel. He spoke about the situation on the front lines, the occupied territories, and the support of the United States if leadership there changes.
Rubryka reports, citing Rai News, that the situation in the ground war is at a stalemate, but there are results at sea.
There's a deadlock on the ground due to delays in equipment supply. However, maritime operations have yielded positive results, according to the Ukrainian leader.
"When it comes to the ground war, it's at a stalemate. That's a fact because there have been delays in equipment, and delays mean mistakes," said Zelensky.
He also noted that Ukraine is fighting terrorists who possess one of the world's largest armies, so the Ukrainian army needs modern technical support.
The Ukrainian president also emphasized that maritime operations have yielded positive results.
"Russia has lost many ships, and in the Black Sea, we managed to establish a corridor for grain exports, so this pragmatic part of the operation with economic consequences was carried out positively," he added.
26% of Ukraine's territory is under Russian occupation
"After two years, it's important that we managed to defend our country. About 26% of the national territory is still under occupation, but we see that the Russian army cannot advance significantly. We stopped them," he said.
At the same time, the president added that Ukraine managed to unite world leaders, so Ukrainians are not alone.
"Today, the country knows what war is. Unfortunately, many families have lost loved ones, there are wounded, and many are on the front lines, but we are not alone; we managed to unite world leaders," he said.
Zelensky talked about the initial days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"The first days of the war were very different; people were terrified. Initially, there was great chaos, an unexpected invasion, and night attacks on cities. People were shocked. Now, everything is different. We started defending our land and families. We had no alternative," he said.
Relations with the US in the event of a power transition
The Ukrainian president hopes that if leadership in the United States changes after the presidential elections, Washington's policy toward Ukraine will remain unchanged.
"I want to believe and hope: if changes occur in the USA, then the policy (regarding Ukraine) will remain unchanged," said the president.
He noted that the Republican Party has radical voices but also many people who support Ukraine.
"The people of the United States decide, but if they intend to reduce assistance to Ukraine, there will be a new geopolitical arrangement. Putin will break through our defense, advance, and won't just stop," Zelensky warned
Changes in key leaders in the country
President Zelensky also said he is considering changing key leaders in the country.
"Undoubtedly, we need a reboot, a fresh start. I mean replacing several state leaders, not just in one sector, for example, the military," the president said.
Zelensky said that he was contemplating this change. According to him, this is a question for the entire leadership group that manages the country's large and complex machinery.
Background
Recently, The New York Times reported that the United States and Ukraine have differing opinions on how to wage war against Russia. American military officials believe that Ukraine should focus on defense rather than counterattacking. However, Ukraine wants to go on the offensive to achieve more favorable conditions for negotiations.
According to the publication, the United States is trying to prepare Ukraine for the possibility that the assistance it receives may be reduced.
Earlier, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, wrote an article for The Economist. He noted that the war entered a new "position" phase characterized by exhausting battles. Zaluzhnyi suggested that the war might have reached a dead end.
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