One of President Zelensky’s closest aides has warned the Ukrainian counteroffensive has been delayed due to a lack of weapons and ammunition.
Dr Ihor Zhovkva, the deputy head of the president’s office and his chief foreign affairs adviser, said they need reinforcements before starting the operation, which was originally planned for spring but will not take place until the summer.
While President Zelensky travelled extensively last month to bolster air defences and procure more weapons for the counter-offensive, Moscow intensified its relentless aerial assault on Kyiv and other cities.
Zhovkva believes Russia’s bombardment of the capital aims to dissuade Ukraine from launching an attack.
He told The Sunday Times: “I’m not a military man.
“I’m working on the diplomatic front and my task is more weapons, more support, more ammunition. But if you want to start a successful counter-offensive you need everything at your disposal, including artillery, armoured vehicles and tanks, so probably we don’t have enough.”
The European Union received criticism for allowing Russia to profit from its energy resources, enabling the purchase of more missiles that deplete Ukraine’s defensive arsenal.
He added: “Sorry, but the European countries are still too slow and not doing enough with sanctions. Russia can still earn a huge amount of money trading its energy resources including gas, earning dollars and euros, and every euro and dollar is spent on producing more missiles and artillery to kill more Ukrainians.”
Zhovkva emphasised the need for greater sanctions from the EU and the rest of the world, highlighting Britain’s commendable efforts in supporting Ukraine. The Ukrainian leadership has provided conflicting statements about their military readiness, potentially as a tactic to confuse Moscow. However, the reality remains that Ukraine requires maximum firepower to have any chance of repelling the Russian forces.
“It’s high time again for the EU and the rest of world to think if they are doing enough with sanctions,” he said.
The scarcity of weapons prompted President Zelensky’s extensive travels, where he focused on securing military aid and weapon deliveries.
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The priority in each discussion during his visits was acquiring more weapons to protect Ukrainian territory and halt the rocket attacks.
The ongoing assaults have strained Ukraine’s air defence system and depleted its stock of Patriots, the US surface-to-air missiles. Even the far west of the country has come under fire, leaving no safe havens.
Zhovkva continued: “From May 3 to June 2 you calculate the number of countries he visited, it’s huge. More weapons is the No 1 topic in each and every conversation . . . Every visit my president makes is about military help, further delivery of weapons. Every country knows what kind of weapons we need from them, to protect our territory, stop the rockets.
“If you can’t sleep for seven days, day by day you feel tired and have low morale.”
During his travels, President Zelensky also engaged with leaders of eight European nations involved in the F-16 “fighter jet coalition.”
Zhovkva praised Rishi Sunak for his active role in shaping the European initiative alongside Denmark and the Netherlands. He praised the significant support provided by the UK, referring specifically to the recent arrival of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which have become a game changer in terms of weaponry.
He said Britain “now is one of the leading countries in showing real incentive and courage in how to really bring victory to my country”.
“Obviously we don’t have enough,” he added.
“Ukraine is huge and they are hitting each and every corner, there is not a single safe place left. Even the far west is being targeted.
“The UK is helping in enormous quantities, becoming a game changer in a very important weapon.”
