A close associate of Zelensky: Ukraine is getting closer to victory

"Initially, we were given three days, then a few months, and now it's been a year and a half" Andriy Yermak, director of the Ukrainian president's office, said in a recent interview. The official declares that the society is extremely united, and the country is "close to victory". At the same time, he admits that the counter-offensive is moving slowly.

On the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, which was celebrated for the second time during the occupation, the editorial office of "Deutsche Welle" was interviewed by the closest official to Volodymyr Zelensky. Andriy Yermakov is full of optimism and claims that victory over Russia is getting closer.

"No one knows how long it will last, but we've come a long way," admits the 51-year-old. The official declares that Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia, but only when the invading troops give up the "last centimeter" of the occupied territory. "We wish for nothing more than victory and the restoration of peace in our country"

Andriy Yermak also had to face questions about the slow-moving counter-offensive. "It's happening more slowly than we'd like," he openly admits. The politician draws attention to the key factors that delay them. Among them, in the foreground there is a huge mining of the area.

- Second, we still don't have enough weapons. And the third reason is that we are different from the Russians. We think about our population (...) and the Russians do not count their soldiers. They are the cannon fodder they throw into the battle. They don't even collect all the bodies – adds Jermak in an interview with "DW".

A slow counteroffensive. "Now is the time"

On the anniversary of the Ukrainian holiday, the American daily "Washington Post" published a text by General David Petraeus and Frederick Kagan. The military argues that "the Ukrainian counter-offensive may still surprise critics." In it, they state that the war will last a long time and that quick results should not be expected. It will be crucial to support Kiev all the time until Russia is defeated at the front.

Experts also estimate that the Ukrainian operation in Zaporizhia, which has been in progress for 10 weeks, is only gaining momentum and may last another four months. "Western observers who follow the war in Ukraine should keep in mind the broader perspective. Political decision makers should not wring their hands and complain that the counter-offensive did not bring immediate benefits. It will be a long war and we need Ukraine's victory" - the authors argue.

The military pay attention to the delivery of Western equipment, the amount of which is impressive, but military aid is still insufficient. "The United States delivery of over $44 billion in arms, ammunition, and aid has been impressive. But we need to do more, and we need to do it with a greater sense of urgency. The time to act is now", add Petraeus and Kagan.