Ukraine thwarts Russian 2024 plans, eyes European support
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukrainian forces thwarted Russian plans to occupy Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia, which were to be carried out in the fall and winter of 2024.
The Ukrainian army successfully foiled Russian plans to occupy three key cities: Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia.
- In the fall and winter of 2024, three operations by the Russian Federation concerning the occupation of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia were broken. I believe that the soldiers especially proved themselves here. The country went through this in 2024 - said Zelensky in an evening television program.
The president emphasized that Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia are Ukrainian cities, and their residents went through a significant trial. - These are Ukrainian cities and Ukrainian people. I would like to thank the residents of these cities. They underwent a significant trial - Zelensky noted.
European troops in Ukraine?
In an interview, the Ukrainian leader also referred to the proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested the possibility of deploying French troops in Ukraine.
- I think you've heard about the initiative of President (of France Emmanuel) Macron regarding the deployment of the French Republic's contingent on the territory of Ukraine. We support such an initiative, but France alone is not enough. We would not want it to be one or two countries regarding this initiative. It should definitely be on the way to NATO. This does not mean that the deployment of European forces excludes Ukraine's future in NATO - he stated.
According to the president, the United Kingdom may support the idea of sending a European contingent to his country "and several other countries, which we agreed not to speak about loudly, as they are still afraid to discuss this in the media, fearing Russian influence." Zelensky also noted that he does not know whether the United States would be present in such forces - wrote the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
