Zelensky confirms plans of new Ukrainian counteroffensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that Kyiv is planning a fresh counteroffensive in its war with Russia.

In an exclusive interview published by German newspaper Bild, Zelensky said that Ukraine has “a plan for a counteroffensive,” but emphasized that such efforts have to be bolstered by modern weaponry and support from Western countries.

Zelensky specifically called out the United States during the interview, where military aid for Kyiv has been held up for months by Republicans in Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently indicated that he plans to soon advance a $95 billion foreign aid deal that was passed by the Senate in February, although funding Ukraine has become a thorn in Johnson’s side as he faces backlash from members of his own party.

“Yes, Russia has more people, more weapons,” Zelensky told Bild. “But the united West has the modern weapons systems. That’s why we will get certain technologies. And if we continue to increase production, if we get licenses from our partners, then it’s not about the number of people. It’s about the quality of the weapons.”

Newsweek sent an email to Zelensky’s press office for additional comment on Wednesday night.

Ukraine’s first counteroffensive against Russia in September 2022 was extremely successful, with Kyiv retaking large swaths of its territory that Moscow had captured early in the conflict. But a second offensive launched by Ukraine in summer 2023 did not meet expectations, and some experts have said that Kyiv’s military may not be ready for another one until next year.

Ukrainian Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, commander of Kyiv’s ground forces, said during an appearance on Ukrainian national television last month that Ukraine’s top priority at the moment was to “stabilize” the front line and “kill as many [Russian troops] as possible.”

He added during the interview, however, that the ultimate goal was to “establish an attack group and conduct counteroffensive operations” this year.

British Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, head of the United Kingdom’s armed forces, said during a London meeting in February that Ukraine’s counteroffensive would “most likely” be launched next year, citing Kyiv’s military “struggles” along the front lines with Moscow, which has held the momentum in recent weeks.

“Ukraine is struggling in terms of its ammunition and its stockpiles and [it is] imperative for the rest of the world to respond to that,” Radakin said at the event hosted by British think tank Chatham House. “At the tactical level, you’re seeing some Russian success gaining relatively small amounts of territory.”

“I think that’s a predicament that’s likely to last at least for the next few months,” he added. “And then we will have to see the Ukraine response with a new military leadership there.”