Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that his top commanders were in a “positive” mindset as his troops engaged in intense fighting on the frontline and that “retaliatory” and defensive actions were underway against Russian forces.
At a news conference in Kiev with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Ukrainian leader addressed a question about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier statement that Ukraine’s retaliation had begun and that the Ukrainian military had suffered “significant losses”. “It was happening.
Zelensky said, “There are counter-offensive, defensive actions taking place in Ukraine. I will not speak about what stage or stage they are in.”
“I’m in contact with our commanders from different directions every day,” he said, naming five of Ukraine’s highest-ranking military leaders. “Everyone is positive. Pass it on to Putin.
Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to Ukraine
Trudeau, the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine since the devastating floods caused by a dam break in the Dnieper River, offered financial, military and moral support to Ukraine.
In addition to the $8 billion Canada has contributed since the war began in February 2022, he pledged $500 million in new military aid and $10 million in humanitarian aid for flood response.
Although Trudeau did not directly blame Moscow, he said the dam’s breach was “a direct result of Russia’s war.”
Ukraine’s General Staff said on Saturday that “heavy fighting” was continuing in the modern east of the country, with 34 clashes reported compared to the day before.
It said Russian forces were “defending themselves” and launching air and artillery strikes in Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, but gave no additional details.
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