Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky personally commented on the words of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhny, who evaluated the situation at the front as a “deadlock”. According to the country’s leader, Ukraine was “under more difficult conditions.”
Strana.ua wrote that Zelensky recalled that at the very beginning of the military conflict, many predicted an imminent defeat for Kiev, but this did not happen.
The politician added that he understands war fatigue. “We are all human beings, regardless of our status,” he said, promising that problematic issues would be resolved.
The Ukrainian leader said that the main problem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is that Russia “controls the sky.” He is confident that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets can turn the situation around.
“Such a solution already exists. “It remains to wait for the training of Ukrainian pilots to be completed,” Zelensky said.
“Big open”
Earlier Zaluzhny chatting with a journalist Economist He recognized the stalemate in the conflict and stated that he did not hope for a breakthrough when, according to “NATO textbooks”, the Ukrainian Armed Forces should have already “fought” in Crimea.
The Commander-in-Chief was also skeptical of the idea that F-16s would provide a significant advantage to Ukraine. According to him, fighters will not be able to change the situation, since Russia has already acquired longer-range air defense systems.
As reported PolicyRepublicans took Zaluzhny’s words seriously and are using them as an argument to reconsider Washington’s support for Kiev. Senator Josh Hawley told the publication that Zaluzhny’s outspokenness “blows a huge hole” in US President Joe Biden’s pro-Ukraine policy.
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Igor Zhovkva highlightedHe said that Zaluzhny should not comment to the press because the military should not discuss specific options for the development of events in the media.
Zhovkva added that after the material was published in the Economist, politicians from other countries called him and tried to understand what was happening. The office of the President of Ukraine added that the article left more questions than it answered.
TV channel NBC Citing officials, he reported that the United States and Europe are currently discussing with Kiev the possibility of negotiations with Russia.
“United States and European officials … have begun talking with the Ukrainian government about the possible outcomes of peace talks with Russia to end the war … The talks have outlined broad outlines of what Ukraine might have to give up to reach an agreement It contained. agreement,” says the TV channel message.
American and European officials worry that the conflict could reach a stalemate and also doubt their ability to provide further aid to Kiev.
Zelensky vs Zaluzhny
Zelensky’s re-election as president may be in danger because of Zaluzhny. Strana.ua writes that the commander-in-chief will be the one who will be the opponent of the current leader in the upcoming elections.
In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On Ukrainian Presidential Elections”, the next presidential elections must be held on March 31, 2024.