Ukraine admits the counter-offensive has not gone as expected.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Photo: Reuters).

"We will not back down. We are fighting against the world's second-most powerful army. We wanted a faster result, but unfortunately we did not achieve the results we hoped for," President Zelensky told the Associated Press on December 1.

He explained that this was partly due to Ukraine not receiving sufficient and timely weapons from the West.

"We don't have all the weapons we want. We don't have enough resources to achieve the desired results faster. However, this doesn't mean we should give up or surrender. We are confident in our actions, fighting for what is ours," Zelensky emphasized.

On the other hand, he said, in recent months, Ukraine has achieved certain positive results. Ukraine has gradually gained territory against a better-equipped and better-defended opponent.

Furthermore, Ukraine also weakened the capabilities of Russia's Black Sea Fleet after breaching Moscow's defenses, targeting the fleet's headquarters.

The temporary grain corridor that Kyiv established after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Initiative to create a safe passage for grain exports remains operational.

Earlier, Zelensky stated that now was not the time to negotiate with Russia and stressed that Kyiv would never cede territory in exchange for peace .

Russian officials also stated that there is currently no prospect of peace talks with Ukraine aimed at ending the conflict, which has lasted nearly two years.

"To date, we have not seen any signs from Ukraine or its partners that they are willing to seek a political solution to this conflict," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on December 1.

The Russian diplomat added: "If you pay attention to what NATO and EU leaders say, you can see that their sole objective is to continue supporting Ukraine because if Ukraine is defeated, it will also be a failure for all of Europe."

Lavrov also emphasized that Russia sees no reason to reconsider the objectives of its special military operation in Ukraine.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-thua-nhan-chien-dich-phan-cong-khong-nhu-mong-doi-20231201185245464.htm