The interview in The Economist has been rewritten all over the world. Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Valery Zaluzhny, claims that the counteroffensive is going much worse than planned.
According to Zaluzhny, the plan was for Ukraine to advance 30 kilometers a day, but in the interview he claims that a stalemate has arisen and his forces, five months into the counteroffensive, have only managed to advance a little over 17 kilometers in total.
The Iron General, as he is called, warns at the same time that the locked positions mean that Russia now gets a good chance to regroup and replenish its weapons stockpiles. He also does not believe that the country is close to a breakthrough.
The interview has not been well received by other leaders in Ukraine.
“The Russians have drawn conclusions”
On Saturday, Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s chief of staff Igor Zhovka spoke on Ukrainian television, reports CNN.
– It has been carefully read and conclusions have been drawn by the Russians, Zhovka says, claiming that he had received calls from panicked counterparts in partner countries, asking if the war is really at a stalemate.
– Is this the effect we wanted to achieve with this article?, asks Zhovka.
In the interview, Valery Zaluzhny lists what Ukraine needs from the outside world to break the deadlock, including new technology and enhanced electronic warfare.
– This is perhaps a very deep strategic plan and we will achieve some success in this way. But to be honest, I am very surprised, says Zhovka about the colleague’s words.
Zelensky fights back
Even President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is clear that he does not share the Iron General’s view of the situation. At a press conference, in connection with the visit of the EU leader Ursula von der Leyen, he commented on the talked about interview.
– People are tired. Everyone is tired. There are different opinions. Everyone is human, regardless of status… But this is not a dead end. I emphasize this once again. We have already talked about this. This is not some kind of news, says Zelensky, highlighting what must now happen:
– We must all come together and solve the problems, work more with our partners on air defense, take and free the skies and enable our men to take offensive action. This is what we need to think about.