Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces are ready for a counter-offensive to repel Moscow’s invasion, admitting more danger without Western air defense aid.
“For me, we are ready from today. We firmly believe that we will succeed,” Zelensky stated in an interview with the US newspaper Wall Street Journal, pointing out that the offensive against the Russians without help will be more dangerous for Ukrainians. from Western countries to anti-aircraft defenses.
“Everyone knows that a counter-offensive without air superiority is very dangerous,” he said, adding that there is no estimate of the time it could take.
Patriot missile batteries, used against warplanes or missiles, are weapon systems that can protect Ukraine’s airspace because “it deprives Russia of its ability to intimidate millions of people.”
Zelensky also admitted in the interview that Ukraine will not be able to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as long as it is at war with Russia.
“We don’t want to be a member of NATO during the war,” he declared, asking countries of the Atlantic Alliance to give “a sign” of possible future membership at the summit to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11 and 12 .
“If we are not recognized and do not receive a signal in Vilnius [sobre uma possível adesão no futuro]”I think it is pointless for Ukraine to participate,” he said.
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 has so far led to the flight of more than 14.7 million people – 6.5 million internally displaced persons and more than 8.2 million to European countries – according to the latest data from the UN, which classifies this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
At least 18 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid and 9.3 million need food aid and housing.
The Russian invasion – justified by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russian security – was condemned by the international community at large, which reacted by arming Ukraine and politically and economically impose sanctions on Russia.
Source: DN
