Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday appeared to substantiate that his nation’s much-anticipated counteroffensive towards Russia’s invasion has begun, however he stated Ukraine would chorus from giving particulars in regards to the operation.
“Counteroffensive and defensive actions are going down in Ukraine; at which stage I cannot speak intimately,” Zelenskyy stated at a joint press convention in Kyiv on Saturday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was on an unannounced go to to Ukraine.
“I’m in contact with our commanders,” the Ukrainian chief was quoted as saying. “Everyone seems to be optimistic.”
Zelenskyy’s feedback got here after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Kyiv’s long-expected counteroffensive was already failing. Studies earlier this week stated the counteroffensive was beneath approach, with Ukraine battling to retake territory occupied by Moscow’s forces.
In his nightly tackle late Saturday, Zelenskyy thanked Ukrainian troops on the entrance traces however gave few particulars in regards to the state of fight. “Thanks go to our troopers. To everybody who’s on the entrance line, in positions, at fight posts, and on fight missions,” he stated.
“I thank everybody who’s taking a stand and who’s transferring ahead,” the Ukrainian president stated.
The British Protection Ministry stated on Saturday that Ukraine had performed “vital” operations in a number of japanese and southern areas of the nation within the final 48 hours. “In some areas, Ukrainian forces have seemingly made good progress and penetrated the primary line of Russian defenses,” the ministry stated in a tweet. “In others, Ukrainian progress has been slower,” it stated.
“Russian efficiency has been blended,” the ministry added.
Combating has escalated in current days within the southern Zaporizhzhia area, with Ukraine forces reported to be attempting to regain entry to the Sea of Azov, the BBC reported. Ukraine’s efforts to advance within the space may very well be hindered by flooding within the south of the nation after the Nova Khakovka dam was destroyed.
Canada’s Trudeau reaffirmed his nation’s political and monetary help for Ukraine in battling the Russian aggression, committing about $375 million in new navy assist.
Trudeau was extra circumspect in backing Kyiv’s ascension to the North Atlantic Treaty Group. “Canada helps Ukraine to develop into a NATO member as quickly as circumstances enable for it,” in response to an announcement launched in the course of the go to.
Putin’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, now in its sixteenth month, might be on the prime of the agenda at a June 15-16 assembly of NATO protection ministers in Brussels. The gathering might be a prelude to subsequent month’s NATO leaders’ summit in Lithuania, the place the alliance will once more must confront the problem of Ukraine’s membership bid.
