As Trudeau visits Kiev, Zelensky says 'counteroffensive' underway

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jun 2023 19:51

The Canadian premier pinned the responsibility on Russia for destroying the Kakhovka dam.

Bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Trudeau. (Photo: Ukrainian President's Office)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that the "counteroffensive" is currently taking place as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to Kiev.

Upon his visit, the Canadian premier pinned the responsibility on Russia for destroying the Kakhovka dam.

Trudeau is meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv.

Major hug as they first see each other pic.twitter.com/l4w4DHcjzR
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 10, 2023

"Counteroffensive and defensive actions are taking place in Ukraine: at which stage I will not talk in detail," Zelensky said at a joint press conference in Kiev with Trudeau.

Zelensky's comments come after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Kiev's counteroffensive was already showing signs of failure.

On Friday, Putin told reporters that the Ukrainian "counteroffensive" in the special military operation zone has begun and that Kiev is resorting to its strategic reserves.

"Firstly, it can be stated with absolute certainty that the counteroffensive has begun and this is proved by the use of strategic reserves," Putin said.

He further said that Ukrainian forces failed to meet their goals "thanks to courage" of Russian troops and that Ukrainian armed forces suffered losses "higher than usual" in the past few days.

"As to whether the [counteroffensive] bogged down or not, it can be said that all counteroffensive attempts made so far have failed. But the offensive potential of the troops of the Kiev regime still remains," Putin added.

Commenting on the matter, Zelensky said: "It's interesting what Putin said about our counter-offensive. It is important that Russia always feels this: that they do not have long left, in my opinion."

He added that he was in constant contact with military commanders including armed forces chief Valery Zaluzhny, noting that "everyone is positive now -- tell that to Putin!"