Zelensky announced the readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for a counter-offensive

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready for a counter-offensive. At the same time, the Commander-in-Chief decided that Russia had air superiority. Instead, the US believes it has provided Ukraine with everything it needs for a counteroffensive.

Ukraine is ready for a counter-offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Many soldiers may die during the counter-offensive – Zelensky

According to him, Ukraine, although it would like to have additional funds for a counter-offensive, cannot wait for months. “I don't know exactly how long it will take and what price we will pay” he said.

Zelensky also noted that Russia has air superiority, and the lack of protection from enemy planes means that many soldiers could die during a counter-offensive. The head of state also stressed that Ukraine needs additional Patriot complexes to protect both civilians and soldiers on the front line.

On June 2, the president of Ukraine mentioned the expected counter-offensive during a briefing. “It's not a movie, it's hard for me to say how you'll see the counter-offensive. The most important thing is that Russia sees it and not only sees it, but also feels it” Zelensky replied when asked how the world would go on to see that the Ukrainian counter-offensive had begun.

According to him, the goal of the counter-offensive is the liberation of Ukrainian lands. When that happens, then it will become clear to the public that another counter-operation has begun.

The United States says it has provided the armed forces with everything they need for a counter-offensive

Instead, as John Kirby, the U.S. National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, said, the U.S. and its allies did everything possible to prepare Ukraine for a counteroffensive: “We met Ukraine's counteroffensive needs for them. But we're sure they did everything they could to prepare for it” Kirby said.

He noted that it is not only about air defense systems, armored vehicles and artillery, but also about ammunition and military training.

“We've done a lot of work over the last few months to make sure we've got their 'shopping list' complete and that they have what they need” Kirby explained.

As the Russians will defend and may attack, it is important to prepare for dynamic clashes and ensure allies are “dynamically ready to continue to support” Ukraine in the coming months, Kirby said. He added that the US would not support calls for a ceasefire, because it only “frozen” the situation and legitimized the occupation of Ukrainian territory.

In addition, a ceasefire without withdrawing troops from Ukraine would allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to "consolidate control of captured territory" and give him "time and space to rest, arm and attack again."