"We wanted faster results": Zelensky speaks about the Armed Forces counteroffensive and announces a new phase of the war

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that with the beginning of winter, Russia's war against Ukraine has entered a new phase. He also acknowledged that the Defense Forces did not achieve the desired results in the counteroffensive, as everyone wanted "faster results."

At the same time, the Ukrainian leader claims that he does not feel any pressure from his partners to start peace talks with the aggressor. He shared his thoughts on this in an interview with AP, which the agency published on December 1.

During the interview, journalists asked him whether he was satisfied with the results of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive, and the president replied: "we wanted faster results". According to him, it is from this point of view that Ukraine, unfortunately, did not achieve what it wanted.

"This is a fact. We do not have enough strength to achieve the desired results faster. But this does not mean that we should give up and give in. We are confident in our actions, we are fighting for what is ours," Zelensky assured.

He expressed satisfaction that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are not retreating, fighting against the "second army of the world." However, he also emphasized his disappointment that our country continues to lose people.

"We are losing people, I am not satisfied. We did not get all the weapons we wanted, I cannot be satisfied, but I cannot complain too much," the president added.

Zelensky noted the successes that the Armed Forces have achieved over the past few months at the front, when they managed to achieve certain territorial gains in battles against a "better armed and fortified" enemy. He also noted that the power of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has decreased after Ukrainian attacks, when our forces managed to break through enemy air defense and strike at its headquarters in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

During the interview, Zelensky assured that a significant portion of Ukraine's budget is being spent on increasing its own weapons production. Although, he admitted, the available volumes are not yet enough for the military to turn the tide of the war. Therefore, the president expressed hope that Western partners, in particular the United States, would offer favorable loans and contracts to help the country achieve this goal.

Among other things, Zelensky expressed concern that the conflict in the Middle East threatens to divert the world's attention from the war in Ukraine, which in turn will affect the resources the country could receive to defend itself.

"We are already seeing the consequences of the international community's attention being diverted by the tragedy in the Middle East. Only the blind do not see it. We must not allow people to forget about the war here either. Attention equals help. Lack of attention will mean lack of help. We are fighting for every drop of attention," he explained.

In conclusion, the President assured that he does not feel pressure from Ukraine's allies to hold peace talks with the terrorist state of Russia amid the protracted war, although "some voices are always heard."

As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined the prospects for de-occupation of the territories seized by Russia. He admitted that Crimea is waiting to be returned, but the liberation of Donbas will be very difficult.

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