esday, President Zelensky explained that Ukraine had been waiting for military aid from its allies for months, and that the delay had hindered their ability to launch a swift and effective counteroffensive against Russian forces.
“We have been in talks with our allies, particularly the United States, about the urgent need for weapons and ammunition to defend ourselves,” Zelensky said. “But unfortunately, the delivery has been delayed, and this has impacted our ability to respond quickly to the Russian aggression.”
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine was not asking for direct military intervention from its allies, but rather for the necessary equipment to strengthen its defense capabilities. He expressed frustration with the slow pace of the aid delivery, stating that it had put Ukraine at a disadvantage in the ongoing conflict.
“We are not asking for boots on the ground, but we need the weapons and ammunition to defend ourselves,” Zelensky said. “The longer it takes for our allies to provide the support we need, the slower our counteroffensive will be.”
The Ukrainian president also addressed concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict, stating that Ukraine’s goal was to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rather than to engage in a full-scale war with Russia.
“Our priority is to protect our people and our land,” Zelensky said. “We are not seeking a war, but we will defend ourselves if necessary.”
Zelensky’s comments come as Ukraine continues to face intense fighting in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014. The recent escalation of violence has raised concerns about the possibility of a full-scale war between Ukraine and Russia.
The Ukrainian president called on the international community to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression. He urged Western nations to provide the necessary military aid and to take a strong stance against Russia’s actions.
“We need the support of our allies to stand up to Russia,” Zelensky said. “We cannot do this alone. We need the international community to stand with us and send a clear message to Russia that its aggression will not be tolerated.”
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, the international community is closely watching the situation and assessing the appropriate response. The delivery of military aid to Ukraine is expected to be a key topic of discussion in upcoming diplomatic talks.ivka, Ukraine, in June.Credit…Brendan Hoffman for The New York TimesKYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Thursday that he had warned his allies that the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces would proceed slowly as they awaited the delivery of much-needed weapons and military equipment.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Mr. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine was not seeking a quick victory, but rather a sustainable and strategic approach to push back against the Russian invasion.
“We have been in contact with our allies and partners, and we have made it clear that our counteroffensive will not be a hasty one,” Mr. Zelensky said. “We are waiting for the delivery of weapons and military equipment that will significantly enhance our capabilities on the battlefield.”
Mr. Zelensky’s comments come as Ukraine continues to face intense fighting against Russian forces, who launched a full-scale invasion more than 16 months ago. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacement of civilians, as well as significant damage to infrastructure.
The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude for the support his country has received from the international community, but stressed the need for additional assistance to effectively counter the Russian aggression.
“We appreciate the support we have received so far, but we need more,” Mr. Zelensky said. “We need advanced weaponry, intelligence sharing, and logistical support to effectively defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Ukraine has been seeking increased military aid from its Western allies, including the United States and European Union member states. The Biden administration recently announced a $200 million military aid package for Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, ammunition, and other equipment.
Mr. Zelensky also highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, calling for continued negotiations and dialogue with Russia.
“We remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Mr. Zelensky said. “We are ready to engage in negotiations and dialogue, but we will not compromise on our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Ukrainian president’s remarks come as the situation on the ground remains tense, with ongoing clashes and shelling reported in various parts of the country.
International observers have expressed concern over the escalation of violence and the humanitarian impact of the conflict. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians.
As Ukraine continues its counteroffensive against Russian forces, the international community will be closely watching the developments and assessing the effectiveness of the support provided to Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty and restore peace in the region.
Zelensky said he warned allies the counteroffensive would proceed slowly amid the wait for weapons.
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Ukrainian soldiers of the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade on the front line near Avdiivka, Ukraine, in June.Credit…Brendan Hoffman for The New York TimesKYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr ZPrigozhin is in Russia, Lukashenko says, in contrast with his earlier claims.
President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus has stated that the mercenary leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin is in Russia, contradicting his previous claims that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus. Lukashenko made these statements during a rare interview session with reporters in Minsk. However, none of Lukashenko’s claims have been verified, and Prigozhin has not been seen in public since the rebellion nearly two weeks ago. The Kremlin has refused to comment on Lukashenko’s claims, stating that they are unaware of Prigozhin’s whereabouts. Lukashenko also mentioned that Wagner troops, the paramilitary forces led by Prigozhin, remain in their permanent camps in eastern Ukraine. The Belarusian president signaled that some of Wagner’s fighting force could stay intact and that their deployment and actions depend on the leadership of Russia.
This news comes after the armed mutiny led by Prigozhin, which Lukashenko intervened in, striking a deal with the Wagner leader that saw him stand down and withdraw his forces in exchange for amnesty and safe passage to Belarus. Lukashenko stated that he had spoken to Prigozhin on Wednesday and that Wagner would continue to fulfill its duties to Russia. However, he also mentioned that he did not expect immediate vengeance from Russian President Vladimir Putin for the failed mutiny.
Regarding the possible presence of Wagner troops in Belarus, Lukashenko appeared less definitive, stating that the decision of whether they will come and how many of them will come will be decided in the future. He also mentioned that if necessary, Wagner units in Belarus could be called upon to defend the country.
Lukashenko’s statements come in the aftermath of significant political chaos in Russia and his attempts to position himself as a power broker who helped avert a crisis. By granting an interview session with reporters, Lukashenko may be trying to establish a measure of independence from Moscow while gaining support from the electorate, which is more interested in peace than joining Putin’s war in Ukraine.
What impact do the accusations against Prigozhin and the Wagner Group have on the credibility of Lukashenko’s claims and the ongoing crisis in Belarus
N Belarus to organize a large-scale coup. Lukashenko’s statement comes after his government previously accused Prigozhin, who is known as “Putin’s chef” due to his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, of plotting to overthrow the Belarusian government.
Lukashenko made the announcement during a press conference, stating that Prigozhin is “under the control of the Russian authorities” and that he is not in Belarus. He also criticized the Western media for allegedly spreading false information about Prigozhin’s presence in Belarus.
The Belarusian president had previously accused Prigozhin and his private military company, Wagner Group, of sending mercenaries to Belarus in an attempt to destabilize the country and overthrow his government. The accusations led to tension between Belarus and Russia, as Lukashenko claimed that Russia was behind the alleged plot.
However, Lukashenko’s latest statement appears to be a reversal of his previous claims. He did not provide further details about Prigozhin’s whereabouts or clarify why he had initially accused him of being in Belarus.
The accusations against Prigozhin and Wagner Group were met with skepticism by some international observers, who questioned the credibility of Lukashenko’s claims and pointed out the lack of concrete evidence supporting the allegations. Prigozhin and the Russian government have also denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot.
The situation in Belarus remains tense, as Lukashenko continues to face widespread opposition and protests following his controversial reelection last year. The Belarusian government has been criticized for its crackdown on dissent and human rights abuses, with calls for international intervention to address the ongoing crisis.
