President Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on the Ukrainian troops' counteroffensive, stated that Ukraine has no plans to move the war to the territory of Russia. He emphasized that it has never been their objective since Ukraine is only liberating its own territories.
"Unlike us, Russia can end this war faster, without unnecessary casualties. They should think not about our soldiers but about their own unnecessary sacrifices. They must leave our territory. Ukraine has no intention of continuing the war on the territory of the Russian Federation; it has never been our goal. We are only liberating our own territories. They have somewhere to return. We don't. They have somewhere to go, and we don't. Because this is our only land," he said in an interview with Latin American media, as reported by the Argentine newspaper La Nacion.
Zelensky also commented on the Ukrainian troops' counteroffensive. He emphasized that while the operation is progressing slower than some might desire, the initiative remains in Ukraine's hands.
"The counteroffensive is challenging. The progress is probably slower than some would want or imagine. All these are secondary matters. Because in some parts of the front, there are mines, and in others, there are other complications... We can talk about it for a long time. About the directions, what is right and what is not. But the counteroffensive is an advance by the army, not a retreat. And that's an important positive aspect. It's very difficult to fight for so long. It's utterly clear. It's very tough when you lack certain weapons. It's all very hard because it's war. And I only know that it's hard for us, but it's even harder for the Russians. In our eyes, there's fatigue, but in theirs, there's fear, and those are two different things. We'll have to endure. What can I say? We must be patient if we want to win. And we do want that," the president concluded.
