Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Declares Counteroffensive Against Russian-Occupied Territories

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive to liberate territories occupied by Russia, rather than to attack Russian land. Speaking at a news conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukraine's goal is to free the areas within its internationally recognized borders. However, there has been speculation that Ukraine might attempt to capture areas in Russia proper and use them as bargaining chips in potential peace negotiations to end the war launched by Moscow in February 2022.

During the conference, Zelenskyy thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial, and military support, claiming that the country is now second only to the United States in providing aid to Ukraine. Germany has become one of Ukraine's most significant suppliers of arms, including Leopard 1 and 2 battle tanks, and the sophisticated IRIS-T SLM air-defense system.

The Ukrainian president is visiting allies to seek further arms to aid his country in fending off the Russian invasion and funds to rebuild what has been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict. The German government recently announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth over 2.7 billion euros, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition.

While German leaders have expressed strong support for Ukraine, German voters are divided on whether the country should provide more weapons, particularly advanced fighter jets of the type Kyiv is requesting its allies for. The two leaders are expected to fly to the western city of Aachen for Zelenskyy to receive the International Charlemagne Prize awarded to him and the people of Ukraine, recognizing their resistance against Russia's invasion as a defense "not just of the sovereignty of their country and the life of its citizens, but also of Europe and European values.”

(With AP Inputs)