Ukraine’s president says Russia’s military plan has failed

“For a month we have been on the defensive against a plot to destroy us. The original plan of the Russian army failed from the very first days of the operation,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 24. marks the month of Russia launching the campaign military in Ukraine.

“They (Russia) thought the Ukrainians would be scared. They thought the Ukrainians wouldn’t fight. But they were wrong. They didn’t understand anything about us, about the Ukrainians,” Zelensky added.

Zelensky said that Ukraine “never threatened Russia’s security”. He declared Ukraine would do “everything to end this war”.

Zelensky also mentioned the NATO, EU and G7 summit scheduled to take place in Brussels, Belgium this week.

“We are waiting for meaningful steps from NATO, EU and G7. Our firm stance will be demonstrated at these three summits. At these three summits we will see: Who is who? friends, who are partners, and who betrayed us for money,” the Ukrainian president said.

President Zelensky said that Ukraine’s airspace is not safe from Russian missiles and bombs. He called on countries to provide more weapons to Ukraine, and said that Ukraine has not received aircraft, modern anti-missile weapons as well as tanks and anti-ship equipment.

“We have asked for the closure of our skies. We have also asked for effective and unlimited support from NATO, any weapons support that we need. We have asked for it. support from the Alliance (NATO) to help Ukraine win this war, drive the attackers out of our territories and restore peace in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

US President Joe Biden this week arrived in Brussels to prepare to attend NATO, G7 and EU summits. The military situation in Ukraine is said to be an important topic throughout the trip of the White House owner.

New York Times Citing a source familiar with the White House, President Biden will announce sanctions against hundreds of lawmakers of the Russian State Duma (lower house) when he is on a trip to Europe. He will also discuss with allies ways to increase pressure on Russia to force Moscow to end its military campaign in Ukraine.

President Zelensky said on March 21 that Ukraine will never bow to Russia’s ultimatum. Earlier, Moscow gave the Ukrainian armed forces an ultimatum to lay down their arms to open a humanitarian corridor in the strategic port city of Mariupol.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said they are ready to negotiate to de-escalate tensions, but will not accept an ultimatum. However, so far, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have not made much progress. The two sides still disagree on a number of issues such as recognition of Russia’s Crimea peninsula, independence for two eastern breakaway regions as well as Ukraine’s neutral status.