I want to start with President Zelenskyy’s remarks from earlier today, but not from his nightly address. Rather I want to focus on some of his remarks to The Financial Times. (emphasis mine)
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a stalemate in the war with Russia was “not an option for us” as he once more appealed for western military support to restore his country’s territorial integrity.
“We are inferior in terms of equipment and therefore we are not capable of advancing,” he said. “We are going to suffer more losses and people are my priority.”
Speaking to Financial Times editor Roula Khalaf at the FT’s Global Boardroom conference on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said pushing Russian forces back to positions occupied before the February 24 invasion would amount to a “serious temporary victory” for Ukraine but full sovereignty over its territory remained his ultimate goal.
Zelenskyy said that “victory must be achieved on the battlefield”. But he also insisted he was open to peace talks despite atrocities committed by Russian troops during their 100-day onslaught. Any war should be ended at the negotiating table, he said.
Zelenskyy hit out at what he saw as attempts by some western allies to explore the terms of a ceasefire without involving Kyiv.
“We need abiding interest from the west, western support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. There cannot be talks behind Ukraine’s back anytime.
“How can we achieve a ceasefire on the territory of Ukraine without listening to the position of this country? This is very surprising.”
He said his allies could do more to bring Russia to the negotiating table by supplying Ukraine with arms and by toughening economic sanctions on Moscow, including a complete oil and gas embargo. They should not be mere mediators, he said, but should be ensuring that Moscow ended its hostilities and would honour any ceasefire. They should, he said, be setting the “preconditions” for peace.
“You have influence on the result . . . Apart from words, you should manifest what you can actually do.”
Much, much more at the link!
The reason I wanted to start with President Zelenskyy’s remarks to FT’s conference is to highlight his strategic communication. He’s clearly very aware that positive talk and good intentions by Ukraine’s allies are not enough. That despite Ukraine’s success in the battle for Kyiv and its ongoing ability to hold and attrit the Russian forces along the line of engagement in the east and south of Ukraine, victory will not be easy. And, in fact, it is not certain. While Ukraine is utilizing its advantages, Russian mistakes, and making good use of the weapons it has been and is still being provided, the Russians have more guns and aircraft, bigger guns, and more bodies to throw at the Ukrainians. By speaking plainly and clearly about the reality on the ground he makes both a powerful argument to Ukraine’s allies and supporters as to why they must continue to provide support and reinforces to Ukrainians that he is going to tell them the truth, even if it is unpleasant.
Here’s President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier this evening. The English transcript is after the jump. (emphasis mine)