Volodymyr Zelensky expects Russian offensive to intensify

The Ukrainian president addressed several subjects during an interview with AFP on Friday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expected a broader Russian offensive in the north and east, aimed at taking Kharkiv. “They have launched their operation, it may consist of several waves. And this is their first wave”, assured Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday May 17 in an exclusive interview with AFP. He nevertheless assured that, despite Russian advances in recent days in the Kharkiv region, the situation was better for his forces than a week ago, when Kremlin troops crossed the border by surprise.

Moscow’s forces are trying to take advantage of the lack of men and weapons facing Ukraine after two years of war. Volodymyr Zelensky recognized a shortage of personnel: “There are a significant number of brigades which are empty”, he said. Turning towards the West, he also deplored having only a quarter of the anti-aircraft defense systems that kyiv needs, adding that he also needed 120 to 130 F-16 combat planes.

During this interview, he also said he would like to see China “involved” in the conference on peace in Ukraine, which Switzerland is to organize in June, without Russia. “Global players” like China “have an influence on Russia. And the more countries of this type we have on our side, on the side of the end of the war, I would say, the more Russia will have to reckon with this”added Volodymyr Zelensky.

Finally, he discussed the idea of “truce” during the Paris Olympic Games, which French President Emmanuel Macron wanted. “I said: Emmanuel, we don’t believe in it. Let’s imagine for a second that there is a ceasefire. First of all, we don’t trust [Vladimir] Poutine. Second, he is not going to withdraw his troops. Thirdly, (…) tell me Emmanuel, I said, who guarantees that Russia will not take advantage of this to bring its troops to our territory”said the Ukrainian president, rejecting a “truce which would play into the hands of the enemy”.