President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said progress in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces was “slower than desired”, but that Kyiv would not be pressured into speeding it up.
Key points:
- Ukraine says it has reclaimed eight villages so far in its long-awaited counter-offensive
- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin says Ukraine had “no chance” although it had some offensive potential
- Ukrainian forces so far have yet to push their way to Russia’s main defensive lines
“Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. It’s not,” he said in an interview with the BBC.
“What’s at stake is people’s lives.”
Mr Zelenskyy said in the interview that the military push was not going easily because 200,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory had been mined by Russian forces.
“Whatever some might want, including attempts to pressure us, with all due respect, we will advance on the battlefield the way we deem best,” he added.
His adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Moscow had observed a “lull” in Ukraine’s counteroffensive, which began early this month.
“Oddly enough, at the moment we are seeing a certain lull,” Mr Putin said.
“This is due to the fact that the enemy is suffering serious losses, both in personnel and equipment.”
But he said that Ukraine’s offensive potential “has not yet been exhausted, there are also reserves that the enemy is thinking about where and how to introduce”.
For the second time in less than a week, he said that the Ukrainian forces had “no chance”.
Although Ukraine still had some offensive potential, Kyiv understood it had “no chance”, Mr Putin said in televised remarks.
Ukraine says it has reclaimed eight villages so far in its long-awaited counteroffensive, its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months.
But Ukrainian forces so far have yet to push their way to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare.
Kyiv is believed to have set aside 12 brigades of thousands of troops each, most of which have yet to join the fight.
Reuters has visited some villages recaptured by Ukrainian forces and confirmed an advance of several kilometres.
Moscow says it has been resisting the Ukrainian advances since early June.
Loading…
Western allies pledge more aid for Ukraine
Mr Zelenskyy’s interview with Britain’s public broadcaster was timed to coincide with a conference in London where allies were due to pledge billions of dollars in economic and reconstruction aid.
Ukraine called on Wednesday for Western countries to pledge over $US6 billion ($8.87 billion) more to help the country rebuild over the next 12 months, saying Russia’s war meant Kyiv was facing the largest reconstruction project in Europe since World War Two.
After nearly 16 months of Russia’s war on Ukraine that has destroyed homes, hospitals and other critical infrastructure, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak opened the conference with an appeal to businesses and governments to do more to help rebuild.
Mr Sunak unveiled measures including $4.44 billion of additional guarantees to unlock World Bank lending.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered $1.92 billion in additional aid, including $769 million towards helping overhaul its energy grid.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin was offering an additional $615 million in humanitarian assistance in 2023.
The West has already given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles that form the core of the force it is set to unleash in its counteroffensive.
Some of Ukraine’s supporters worry that Kyiv will have to show impressive results on the battlefield in coming weeks or risk political support waning in the West.
Reuters