The ultimate goal of the Ukrainian counterattack is

Ukrainian officials began to talk openly about the start of the counter-offensive in the war and its concrete goals. In an interview with CNN last Monday (12), the Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine, Igor Zhovkva, declared that the ultimate goal of military action is to regain control over all occupied territories in the country, including Crimea.

Without specifying the details of the operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Adviser Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that counter-offensive operations are under way, but stressed that they could take months to reach the targets.

“The ultimate goal of the counterattack campaign is to recapture all territories, including Crimea,” said the presidential adviser.

Zovkva also stressed that this is not the first counterattack by the Ukrainian army, noting that the Russian forces have retreated from the locations they previously controlled, such as the regions of Kharkov and Kherson.

Last Saturday (10), President Zelensky said that offensive and defensive counter-operations are underway in Ukraine, but he did not specify at what stage.

On Monday (12) the Ministry of Defense reported that within one week the Ukrainian army liberated seven settlements in the areas of operations in eastern Ukraine.

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday (13) that the Ukrainian counterattack was taking place “on a large scale”.

In a televised meeting with Russian military bloggers, Putin said that the Kiev offensive included attacks from different directions, but stressed that Ukraine had not succeeded in many areas.

“Ukraine’s losses are 10 times greater than Russia’s,” the Russian leader said, adding that “Ukraine has lost 25-30% of cars supplied from abroad.”

United States: Ukrainian success may lead Russia to talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a successful Ukrainian counterattack would not only strengthen Kiev’s position during future peace talks, but also sway Moscow toward diplomacy.

At a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Tuesday, Blinken said the counterattack could bring peace closer, not push it away.

“Ukraine’s success in the counterattack could do two things,” Blinken said. “It would strengthen its position at any negotiating table that comes along. It could also push Putin to finally focus on negotiations to end the war he started.”

He also indicated that the United States still does not see that Russia is ready to work to restore a just and lasting peace.

Editing: Thales Schmidt