The head of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Antonio Tajani, relayed remarks he attributed to Ukraine’s minister of foreign affairs, Dmitry Kuleba, about why the Ukrainian counteroffensive has not advanced as quickly as hoped. Tajani spoke in the wake of discussions at the European Union’s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, describing a candid assessment of the operational hurdles faced by Kyiv. According to Tajani, Kuleba indicated that many of the territories targeted in the offensive are heavily mined, a factor that necessitates comprehensive clearance before any maneuver can be undertaken by Ukrainian forces. This explanation underscores a practical constraint on timing rather than a strategic shortfall, with the emphasis on demining as a prerequisite for sustained military activity on the ground. [Source attribution: Sky TG24]
Tajani conveyed that Kuleba stressed the need to render mined zones safe prior to any planned operations by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In this framing, demining emerges as a gating condition that must be satisfied to enable movement, reconnaissance, and engagements during the counteroffensive. The exchange reflects a broader conversation about how battlefield realities shape the pace and sequencing of military actions, including the interplay between on-the-ground dangers and strategic goals. [Attribution: Ukrainian ministry statement cited by Tajani]
Separately, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, remarked that delays in Western weapon deliveries have left Kyiv with fewer options to press the offensive swiftly. He argued that the lag in supply constrained the Ukrainian side’s ability to press a breakthrough and may have contributed to the perceived shortfall in expected results. The comment highlights the dependency on external support for sustaining momentum in high-intensity operations. [Attribution: Podolyak statement]
On June 23, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba identified several core obstacles facing the counteroffensive. He pointed to the effectiveness of Russian aviation in the airspace over contested zones and to challenges related to securing a reliable and adequate flow of ammunition. These factors, he suggested, have complicated the execution of offensive maneuvers and affected overall progress. The remarks reflect an ongoing assessment of both air superiority dynamics and logistical supply chains that influence military planning and tempo. [Attribution: Kuleba remarks]