Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted the new war between Hamas and Israel was overshadowing the grinding conflict taking place in his country, where soldiers continue to fight to free their territories.
Speaking at Saturday’s briefing in Kyiv with visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Zelensky said: “It’s clear that the war in the Middle East is taking away the focus”.
The “weakening” of the attention on Ukraine is something Russia welcomes – but, Mr Zelensky also said, “everything is in our powers”.
The Ukrainian leader also commented on claims by his chief military commander Valery Zaluzhny, who said the war was evolving into a “positional” stage, beneficial to Moscow as it would allow it to beef up its troops and make up for the losses suffered on the battlefield.
But Mr Zelensky stressed he does not think the war in Ukraine has reached “a stalemate”, despite acknowledging “everyone is getting tired”.
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