We are close to victory, says confident Zelenskyy

AFP | Kyiv                                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is confident his country would drive away the Russian invasion, adding that their forces are preparing to launch a counterattack. Ukraine battles through the second year of prolonged conflict against Russia.

When asked about the situation on the ground in Ukraine, Zelenskyy acknowledged that it is challenging, but emphasised that his country is fighting and getting stronger. “I cannot describe the situation as good, but we are fighting,” he said.

“We are stronger than we were a year ago.” Zelenskyy also underscored that Ukrainians are united for victory. “We hope and we believe that through daily gains, we are close to victory,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukrainians are committed to regaining their occupied lands and developing their country.

Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian army is preparing for a counterattack against Russian forces, while playing down the impact of US leaked documents on this counter offensive. While he did not provide specifics about the attack, he expressed confidence in its success.

“Our army is getting ready, and we are doing everything we can in order to make it stronger,” he said. Zelenskyy also spoke about the situation in the city of Bakhmut, where a fierce battle has been taking place against the Russian Wagner group.

Despite some analysts saying the city has little strategic value, Zelenskyy stood his ground that Ukraine will not give up on the eastern Ukrainian city. He called on those to “visit [the city] so that they can understand what could happen and what the threats are.”

“It is impossible for us to give up on Bakhmut because this will [help] expand the battle front and will give the Russian forces and Wagner chances to seize more of our lands.” If Russia captures Bakhmut that could act as a stepping-stone to advance on two bigger cities it has long coveted in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine: Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.