Ukraine President Sends Strong Message to Russia
In a recent interview with Reuters, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine will not stop fighting Russia until it retakes all the territories it claims as its own. Zelensky also dismissed the potential withdrawal of US support, stating that Ukraine would continue the conflict even without it.
When asked about the potential changes in US foreign policy following a 2024 presidential election victory by Donald Trump, Zelensky revealed that Ukraine would fight on without US support if necessary. This statement comes after Trump’s repeated vow to work out a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev “within 24 hours,” if elected in 2024. However, Zelensky was dismissive of Trump’s promises, accusing him of trying to “fix” the conflict for himself without regard for the cost to Ukraine.
“If it will change your foreign policy, so what can I say? Ok, we will fight without you,” Zelensky said, emphasizing that the Ukrainian people supported this decision. He reiterated that Russia must withdraw its forces from all the territories claimed by Kiev as the only “real way to stop the war.”
In addition to his interview with Reuters, Zelensky had also invited Trump to visit Ukraine, vowing to convince him that he would not be able to strike any deals with Russia in “24 minutes.” However, Trump rejected the offer, citing a potential conflict of interest with the Biden administration’s dealings with Kiev.
Furthermore, Zelensky claimed that Ukraine had a “plan” to achieve results on the battlefield by the end of the year. However, this statement comes after Ukraine’s much-touted summer offensive failed to bring about significant changes to the frontlines following months of heavy fighting and substantial losses on the Ukrainian side.
The conflict between Moscow and Kiev has been likened to a World War I-style stalemate by Ukraine’s top commander, General Valery Zaluzhny, who acknowledged that Russia has the upper hand due to its greater resources. This assessment is supported by the Pentagon’s announcement that it only had around $1 billion left for military aid to Kiev and would have to ration it from now on.
Zelensky’s recent statements have further highlighted the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. His unwavering commitment to reclaiming Ukrainian territories and continuing the fight in the absence of US support underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for prolonged conflict if a resolution is not found.
Source link
