Speaking to reporters in Berlin on Sunday, Zelensky denied that Ukraine had any plans to invade Russian turf as it launches its spring counter-offensive.
He said: “We don’t attack Russian territory, we liberate our own legitimate territory
“We have neither the time nor the strength [to attack Russia], And we also don’t have weapons to spare, with which we could do this.”
The president later added: “We are preparing a counterattack for the illegally occupied areas based on our constitutionally definied legitimate borders, which are recognized internationally”
Mr Zelensky was in Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss the country’s support for Ukraine.
Germany announced a new £2.4 billion military aide package for Ukraine on Saturday. The deal includes the shipment of tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition to counter Putin’s offensive.
Berlin lifted the lid on its aide package to Ukraine shortly after the UK revealed it was sending long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Zelensky’s forces.
Russian separatists claim the missiles have already been used by Ukraine to strike targets in the east of the country. Footage showed Putin-ally Viktor Vodolatsky, 65, being led out of a building supposedly hit by a missile.
