In an interview with the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that situation in eastern Ukraine was “bad” due to “lack of ammunition” as Russian forces have been firing about three times as much ammunition as the Ukrainian military every day. According to him, Ukraine cannot launch a counteroffensive yet due to the shortage of ammunition and heavy weaponry.
“We are waiting for ammunition to arrive from our partner countries,” he said, adding that Ukraine cannot launch a counteroffensive yet: “Without tanks, artillery and the HIMARS, we can’t send our brave soldiers to the front lines.”
In the interview, Zelenskyy urged for more global aid for Ukraine, which involves providing ammunition and combat aircraft.
Zelenskyy praised Japan as one of the first countries to impose sanctions against Russia and expressed appreciation for Japan’s support for the energy sector to help Ukraine get through the cold winter.
The president was skeptical about China’s 12-point “peace plan” calling for a ceasefire and Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, saying that “respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity” must come first.
“I didn’t get a proposal from China to mediate. I didn’t get the proposal to meet,” he said.
Taiwan’s FM hits out at China’s attempts to play Ukraine peacemaker – CNN
Read also:
- Polish ammunition firm to boost output severalfold as part of EU-Ukraine plan – Reuters
- US to send ammunition and tanker trucks to Ukraine – AP
- EU greenlights €2 billion plan to boost ammunition supplies to Ukraine
- Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs urged allies to accelerate the supply of artillery ammunition
- US and Ukraine top military chiefs discuss supply of ammunition and military gear
