Albawaba - In a recent interview with the Associated Press (AP), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shed light on the ongoing conflict with Russia and shared his insights on Israel's actions in Gaza.
Zelenskiy underlined that the winter season would mark a "new phase" in the war with Russia, affecting not only the battleground but also civilians and the export of grains.
Expressing discontent with the outcomes of the prolonged offensive against the Russian army since spring, Zelenskiy pointed to Ukraine's challenge in receiving expected weapons from its allies as a primary reason.
Anticipating a renewed and intense Russian aerial assault, Zelenskiy acknowledged the complexities of defending both military and civilian areas during winter operations.
Touching upon Israel's actions in Gaza, Zelenskiy highlighted the potential threat these attacks posed in diverting international attention away from the critical Ukrainian conflict.
Zelenskiy expressed Ukraine's ambition to boost domestic weapons production, emphasizing the desire for Western allies to provide licenses for independent arms manufacturing and repair.
In discussing the upcoming presidential elections slated for March 31, 2024, Zelenskiy suggested that the ongoing Russian attacks could compromise voter safety, rendering the elections unfeasible. He recognized the necessity for constitutional changes to facilitate online voting and voiced concerns about the voting process in "Russian-occupied territories."
Zelenskiy concluded by reiterating Ukraine's commitment to secure long-term benefits from the U.S. and other nations, cautioning that a Russian victory would pose a threat to stability in Europe.
