Ukraine's victory over Russia
"depends" on Western support
, declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who demands more weapons and ammunition and was "confident" that the United States will soon unblock a crucial military aid package.
During a press conference in Kiev,
the president indicated that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died
since the Russian invasion began two years ago and assured that Russia knew in advance of the plans for the failed Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023.
In recent months and despite kyiv's insistence, Western allies have been reluctant to approve new aid to Ukraine.
Western aid is essential for this former Soviet republic
, at war with Russia since February 24, 2022.
"Whether Ukraine loses, whether it is very difficult for us and whether there are a large number of casualties depends on you, on our partners, on the Western world," Zelensky said.
In the United States, Republican legislators, rivals of current President Joe Biden, have been blocking a $60 billion package to Ukraine
for weeks .
"I am sure that [the vote in the US Congress] will be positive, otherwise I do not understand the world we will be living in," said Zelensky, who calls for a faster delivery of military aid, especially ammunition, air defense systems and fighter planes.
Strength
"If we are strong, with weapons, we will not lose this war
," he added.
The Minister of Defense of the former Soviet republic regretted for his part that half of the promised Western weapons are delivered late.
Zelensky assured that Moscow obtained the plans for its counteroffensive, carried out during the summer of 2023. Photo EFE
"A promise does not constitute a delivery," criticized Rustem Umerov.
"50% of commitments are not fulfilled on time."
The delays, according to the minister, place Ukraine at a greater disadvantage in the war against Russia since it involves "human and territory losses."
Regarding Kiev's military losses, Zelensky
stated that "31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in this war
. Not 300,000, not 150,000 as Putin and his circle of liars say."
Both Ukraine and Russia often refuse to disclose their respective military losses.
On the other hand, Zelensky assured that Moscow obtained the plans for its counteroffensive, carried out during the summer of 2023.
"The action plans for our counteroffensive
were on the Kremlin's table
before the counteroffensive actions began," he declared.
The presidency confirmed to AFP that Zelensky was referring to information leaks.
The Ukrainian leader indicated that to avoid them in the future,
his military leaders were developing several strategic plans for this year.
The president assured that delays in the delivery of weapons contributed to the failure of his counteroffensive, during which the Ukrainian army exhausted its resources but failed to liberate the regions occupied by Russia.
kyiv's forces are currently facing an extremely difficult situation on the front and after four months of fierce fighting they were forced to withdraw from the city of Avdiivka, in the east of the country.
Moscow's soldiers are putting increasing pressure on the southern and eastern fronts
, although without achieving major advances.
Pope Francis referred on Sunday to the "martyred Ukrainian people" and called for finding a diplomatic solution for a "just and lasting peace."
Ukraine continues to be the target of daily Russian bombings.
In the early hours of this Sunday, an attack left one injured in Kostiantynivka, in the east, and damaged several buildings, according to police.
In Nikopol, in the south of the country,
a Russian drone dropped explosives on a vehicle, killing a 57-year-old man
, according to the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Sergei Lyssak.
Source: AFP and EFE
P.B.