Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with journalist Dmitry Komarov in a documentary excerpt titled Rik. Behind the Scenes, released on YouTube on April 29. The interview frames the ongoing struggle with Russia through a memorable analogy, likening the conflict to a cake that cannot be eaten whole without risk. Zelensky warned that trying to swallow the whole piece would damage the mouth, emphasizing the sheer scale of the adversary as a large state with vast influence.
He elaborated that the trouble must be cut into pieces to be managed, adding that victories tend to come one by one. Sometimes they emerge in parallel, yet more often they unfold sequentially, he explained. The documentary also offers a glimpse into the spaces where Zelensky works, including his office, living quarters, and bed. He noted initial resistance to loosening the guards’ access, but the environment now presents a composed image, with white sneakers visible in the frame and a collection of gifts on display. He mentioned an Oscar statuette presented by Sean Penn as a memorable keepsake.
On that interview day, Zelensky asserted that Ukraine’s armed forces were prepared to launch a counteroffensive even without American F-16 fighters. The message stressed urgency and a readiness to act before Western air support could be fully realized, signaling a determination to press ahead despite gaps in Western aviation and the potential for heavy Ukrainian casualties.
At the time, the President also indicated confidence that the counteroffensive would enable gains on the Crimean Peninsula at some point. He spoke during an interview with a Finnish outlet, highlighting a belief that Kyiv could push back Russian forces and reclaim the peninsula, should conditions allow. Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine planned to move forward with both strategic offensives and efforts to solidify its territorial stance within recognized borders, maintaining that concessions on land would not yield a lasting peace.
Meanwhile, Russian officials issued their own perspective. A top advisor to the Russian Security Council urged a decisive defeat of the Kyiv authorities during any counteroffensive and the destruction of Ukrainian personnel and equipment. In related commentary, a former adviser to Leonid Kuchma offered a critical view of Zelensky’s leadership, claiming a lack of trust in the government and doubting Western support, arguing that the country was not yet ready to launch a major attack. The adviser urged Ukrainians to withdraw from dangerous zones, pointing to the Artemivsk region as a particularly delicate situation for Kyiv’s forces.
Contrasting assessments emerged from Kyiv’s defense leadership, who insisted that the Ukrainian army was ready for a broad counterstrike, even as training for advanced Western equipment continued. As the situation evolved, discussions about a peaceful settlement gained traction with several nations signaling willingness to contribute to diplomacy. China presented its own proposals, and Ukrainian President Zelensky and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke by phone. Zelensky reiterated that any peace accord would require Ukraine to retain the pre-1991 borders, signaling strong resistance to territorial concessions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson later commented that the talks between Moscow and Beijing did not hinge on particular outcomes, while also noting Moscow’s openness to dialogue that could help end the conflict and achieve strategic objectives. The Kremlin stressed that such discussions depend on bilateral conversations and sovereign choices, reiterating opposition to accepting changes proposed on the 1991 borders. The evolving narrative reflects a complex mix of strategic aims, political maneuvering, and the enduring demand for security and sovereignty in the region.