Volodymyr Zelensky clashed with journalists and pledged to continue fighting

He confronted doubts about Ukraine’s military outlook and international support, asserting to reporters that his country was not in a losing position and remained ready to engage in negotiations with Russia, but only on its own terms. While Ukraine’s military objectives weren’t fully met during the recent counteroffensive, Zelensky stressed the reinforcement of their air defense and advancements made in the Black Sea, as detailed by The New York Times.

Simultaneously, Russia this year has little to boast about apart from significant losses. Internally, there’s a palpable sense of drift in the prolonged and grueling conflict. Zelensky revealed that military officials suggested mobilizing 450-500 thousand individuals, yet the General Staff hadn’t presented a final plan outlining precise numbers. The challenge remains on how they intend to address widespread draft evasion and a growing reluctance among citizens to serve in combat zones.

During Zelensky’s press briefing, intermittent flashes of anger surfaced, particularly when he responded sharply to a journalist questioning the formation of a national unity government with opposition parties. He indicated that Russia was presently not inclined towards negotiations and emphasized their lack of interest in seeking dialogue through both rhetoric and actions. Instead, Zelensky emphasized a readiness on Russia’s part for aggressive actions.

Regarding General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Zelensky’s statements did little to reconcile differences. He depicted the general as a regular appointee within his government, expressing gratitude for some and disappointment in others, yet without explicitly outlining his thoughts about the general’s actions or role.