WSJ: Zelensky declared readiness for a counteroffensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to launch a long-awaited counteroffensive, but warned that it would take some time and could be costly.
"We firmly believe that we will succeed," Zelensky stressed in an interview he gave in the port city of Odessa, while his country's armed forces were preparing for one of the most important phases of the conflict, the purpose of which is to return the territories occupied by Russia.
"I do not know how long it will take. To be honest, things may turn out differently, completely differently, but we are going to do it, and we are ready," Zelensky said in an interview with reporters of the Wall Street Journal newspaper.
During his interview, which lasted for an hour and during which a variety of topics were touched upon, the 45-year-old Zelensky expressed fear that as a result of the presidential elections in the United States next year, an administration less disposed to support Ukraine might come to power. He also called on NATO to provide Kiev with a clear plan to prepare for joining the alliance.
Zelensky appealed to China to restrain Russia and said that Ukraine urgently needs additional Partriot air defense systems so that it can protect its citizens and its troops on the front line from aerial bombing.
Zelensky acknowledged Russia's superiority in the air and said that the lack of protection from Russian aviation means that "many soldiers will die during the counteroffensive."
According to him, Ukraine would like to receive more weapons from Western countries on the eve of its counteroffensive. However, she is still ready to start it. "We would like to get some help, but we can't wait for months," he added.
Zelensky stressed that the Ukrainian ground forces are "stronger and more motivated" than the entrenched Russian military trying to hold about 20% of Ukraine's territories.
This counteroffensive could be a turning point for Zelensky, a former comedian whose leadership in a military conflict brought him worldwide fame. The outcome of this counteroffensive will determine the contours of Western military support and diplomatic efforts on the issue of Ukraine's future.
Ukraine's allies have provided it with billions of dollars worth of military and financial support, and if the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces does not lead to a significant breakthrough, more persistent calls may be made to Zelensky to seek peaceful ways to resolve the conflict.
During the interview, Zelensky alternated words of gratitude for the supply of weapons to Western allies with expressions of annoyance and disappointment over their unwillingness to provide Ukraine with more powerful weapons that would help it fight back against Russian troops.
In his statements, the Ukrainian leader tried to balance between the need to achieve what Ukraine needs to preserve independence and domestic political support, and caution so as not to alienate allies with excessive persistence.
According to Zelensky, he knows that Western leaders sometimes take offense at his harsh tone, but he does not understand why they provide so few effective weapons that would save many lives and ensure Ukraine's victory.
Zelensky said that if Ukraine cannot resist the onslaught of Russia, "this beast will get a taste" and will move to conquer new territories.
"Let's not compare who should be grateful to whom," Zelensky added.
On the eve of his interview, which Zelensky gave at the government residence, he visited wounded soldiers, met with military leaders and visited the port, where he discussed measures to increase exports. Dressed in a black T-shirt with the name of his country, he looked a little tired, but perked up when asked how he manages to keep his presence of mind.
"There is no time for weakness," he replied.
The West has helped train and arm tens of thousands of soldiers in an attempt to strengthen Kiev's position before the counteroffensive.
According to Western officials, they always believed that Ukraine would definitely attempt a counteroffensive and that it was just waiting for the ground to dry up completely.
Ukraine's allies recognize that the upcoming counteroffensive will not help end the conflict. However, according to one Western official, they want this step by Ukraine to demonstrate to President Vladimir Putin the futility of his strategy, which boils down to digging in and waiting for the moment when Western support for Ukraine's efforts weakens.
Since the beginning of the Russian special military operation, the Biden administration has provided Ukraine with more than $37 billion in security assistance. European allies followed Washington's example.
But in May, former President Donald Trump, the main contender for the 2024 presidential election from the Republican Party, refused to promise that if he won, he would support Ukraine. He stated that he would strive for an early cessation of hostilities, but he did not specify exactly how he would do it.
Zelensky expressed concern that any changes in the composition of the US administration could negatively affect the provision of support to Ukraine.
"In such a situation, when there is support, you are afraid of change," he explained. – To be honest, when you mention the change of administration, I feel the same as any other person: I want changes for the better, but everything can happen exactly the opposite."
According to Zelensky, he does not understand Trump's statement that he can put an end to the conflict in 24 hours, because, as president, Trump has not taken any steps in this direction, although Russia has already occupied Crimea and part of the territories of eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky noted that Biden has an emotional attachment to Ukraine, and it is this that underlies the support that the American administration provides to his country. Trump held the position of president even before the start of the Russian special military operation, and "I do not know how Trump would behave," Zelensky added.
The President of Ukraine noted that the support of both American parties and ordinary US citizens gives him strength. He also expressed hope that both parties and the US Congress will continue to support Ukraine, encouraging the new administration to increase the volume of aid.
From Zelensky's point of view, the more important task now is to get a clear action plan for joining NATO at the alliance summit to be held in Vilnius in July.
In 2008, NATO representatives said that Ukraine would join the alliance sooner or later, but did not set any deadlines. Last year, Ukraine applied for membership, but the United States, which is the unofficial leader of the bloc, for the most part avoids discussions about when the country will be able to join the alliance, focusing on strengthening Kiev's military potential.
Zelensky said that some NATO members do not want to accept Ukraine out of fear of Russia. According to him, he does not expect that his country will be able to join the alliance while the fighting continues, but he would still like to receive a promise that after the end of the conflict Ukraine will be accepted into NATO.
"If we are not given a signal in Vilnius, I believe that there is no point for Ukraine to be at this summit," he said. When asked whether he believes that Ukraine will receive such a signal, Zelensky replied: "I don't know. Honestly, I don't know."
According to him, he is grateful to Western countries for the supply of weapons, but these deliveries should take place faster and in greater quantities, since delays cost lives.
In particular, according to him, Ukraine needs more Patriot missile systems – consisting of several launchers, a powerful radar, a control center and other auxiliary equipment – to protect its cities and troops on the front line.
Now Ukraine has two Patriot batteries, but, according to Zelensky, he would like to have 50 of them, since this is the only system capable of intercepting some modern Russian missiles.
The Zelensky administration wanted to isolate Russia, seeking to enlist the support of various countries, including China, India and Brazil, which maintain friendly relations with Russia.
In addition, Zelensky is now trying to convene a summit to consider his peace settlement plan, which includes 10 points, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine.
"Putin should know that people will not shake his hand, that he will no longer sit at the same table with serious countries, that Russia is not a member of international organizations," he said.
China, which did not publicly condemn Russia's actions and accused the United States and its allies of fomenting war, tried to contribute to the settlement of the conflict. Ukraine has stated that it is ready to listen to China's point of view, but will not agree to any proposal if it includes the surrender of territories.
Zelensky said that during an April telephone conversation, he urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping not to provide Moscow with weapons and other technologies, and Xi assured him that China was not sending weapons to Russia.
According to Zelensky, China is bigger and more powerful than Russia, so it can play an important role in the process of restoring peace.
"I would not want such a country to stand aside and watch people die. This is where national greatness lies. This is not a painting or a museum. This is a real bloody conflict."
Author: James Marson (James Marson), Emma Tucker (Emma Tucker)
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Comments from Wall Street Journal readers
Chris Gibbons
Isn't there a predominantly pro-Russian population living in all those territories that Russia currently holds? I read that Ukraine tried to exterminate Russian culture in these areas, including language and written speech. If so, it is rather strange that Kiev now wants to win back pro-Russian territories. And if Ukraine does, won't it commit genocide against the people living there?
H LINDSAY
Irresponsible political leadership is leading us straight to a world war. The question is why. Ukraine's infrastructure has been destroyed, and Russia's position has been seriously shaken. What other goals do we want to achieve besides being drawn into a conflict that will take the lives of many American soldiers? Who would have thought that our "flower children" of the 1960s, who professed leftist views and strongly opposed any wars, would turn into aggressive warmongers and preachers of regime change.
Michael Walker
The fact that Zelensky declares readiness for a counteroffensive most likely means that Ukrainians are completely unprepared.
Stephen Cooke
Biden's "attachment" to Ukraine is explained by the millions of dollars that Hunter managed to launder for his family without doing anything.
sara warriner
Yesterday, Putin mentioned "the territory called Ukraine." It is quite possible that Zelensky's days are already numbered. The West is pushing him to launch a counteroffensive, which simply cannot end in success – and everyone knows this, even Orban. And what will happen if Putin offers to give western Ukraine to Poland, Hungary or Romania?
Kim Jady
This is a European conflict. The European Union has much more money than Russia. It's time for him to start paying the bills on his own. The debt of the United States is $35 trillion, and they can no longer afford to wage endless wars.
Donald Akins
It's so stupid. Zelensky is already trying to lower expectations from the counteroffensive, although it has not even begun yet. In fact, he is already saying that it will fail. He has no people, he has no air support, he does not have a sufficient supply of weapons, and his military does not have the necessary training to use these weapons effectively.
John M
And where are the $400 million that was stolen from American taxpayers and divided between Zelensky and his accomplices? The materials collected by Seymour Hersh tell in detail about this blatant theft.
William Coleman
We are ready for the next act in our proxy war with Russia! New victims and destruction await the pawn of the United States Ukraine! Forward USA!
Jay Dan
"President Biden has an attachment to Ukraine." And why not? In the end, Hunter earned a decent amount of money there.
REX REESE
Zelensky could have simply stopped bombing and killing Russians in eastern Ukraine. But he saw a convenient opportunity to get into America's pocket. It worked.
srikanth iyer
Zelensky is an idiot who will kill a huge number of people in Ukraine. He should have started negotiations for surrender and thus saved people.
Michael Jones
A nuclear war because of which corrupt country's flag will fly in the Crimea…
Michael Jones
"Biden has an attachment to Ukraine." That's it! We are risking our lives because of Biden's emotional attachment.
Arlan Wise
When Zelensky says "we are ready", who exactly does he mean? Where did the Ukrainian elite send their children – to the front or to private schools in Switzerland?
Michael Howard
I am sure that another 800 trillion dollars will guarantee Ukraine's victory. As it happened in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries.
Kevin Cahill
We need to resolve this conflict immediately, provoked by the thoughtless expansion of NATO.
