Preparations for a Ukrainian counter-offensive are complete, but the loss of life could be heavy due to Russian air superiority, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
In an interview published this Saturday, June 3 by the wall street journalthe President of Ukraine said regarding the counter-offensive : “ In my opinion, from today we are ready (…) We firmly believe that we will succeed,” stating that he did not know “how long will it take “.
He warned, however, that the offensive would be ” dangerous without increased Western aid to counter Russian air attacks. “ Everyone knows that a counter-offensive without air superiority is very dangerous added the Ukrainian president.
” We don’t want to be a member of NATO during the war »
A single weapon, the American surface-to-air missile system Patriot, can protect Ukrainian skies, he added, calling for more such weapons to be delivered to his country. “ One weapon robs Russia of ability to intimidate tens of millions: Patriots missiles “, did he declare.
In view of the NATO summit to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, next month, he admitted to having understood that it was not possible for his country to join the Atlantic Alliance during the Russian invasion. ” We don’t want to be a member of NATO during the war “, he assured. ” It’s too late. But tell me how many lives is worth a sentence at the top of Vilnius? »
“ If we are not recognized and if we do not receive a signal in Vilnius (with a view to a possible and future membership.-Editor’s note), I think it is useless for Ukraine to participate in this summit “, he estimated.
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(With AFP)