Ukraine Experiencing Significant Losses from Delayed Arms Supplies, According to Zelenskiy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed concerns about the high losses faced by Ukrainian troops due to the slow arrival of Western arms, in an interview with CNN aired on Sunday. He highlighted that Russia has been making gains in parts of eastern Ukraine, including areas around Pokrovsk, which, if captured, could facilitate new Russian offensives.

Zelenskiy described the eastern front as “very tough,” noting that nearly half of Ukraine’s brigades in that region lack adequate equipment. “You lose a lot of people. You lose people because they are not in armed vehicles … they don’t have artillery, they don’t have artillery rounds,” he stated in English during the interview conducted on Friday.

He pointed out that weapon aid packages promised by the United States and European allies have been arriving at a very slow pace. “We need 14 brigades to be ready. Until now … from these packages we didn’t equip even four,” he explained.

On Saturday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Washington is working on a significant new aid package for Ukraine. Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden this month to discuss a plan for ending the war, emphasizing the need for security, diplomatic support, military assistance, and economic aid.

According to Zelenskiy, the primary concern for Russian President Vladimir Putin is the reaction of the Russian public if the war’s costs start to significantly affect them. “Make Ukraine strong, and you will see that he will sit and negotiate,” Zelenskiy remarked.

He will also press Biden for permission for Ukraine to utilize U.S. long-range weapons to target military installations deep within Russia. This request comes in light of increased Russian air activity, with jets now conducting operations as far as 500 kilometers from the front lines, compared to just 150 kilometers previously.