Ukraine war won't end with mere withdrawal of Russian troops: Kirby

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Jun 2023 21:27

The official stated that the US is satisfied with the level of aid provided to Ukraine ahead of their upcoming counteroffensive.

A Ukrainian soldier fires a mortar near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Monday, May 29, 2023 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Friday that the conflict in Ukraine will not be ending with a "simple withdrawal" of Russian troops from the former Ukrainian territories.

"We all want to see the war end, and we all understand that it’s not going to end by a simple withdrawal of Russian troops," Kirby told reporters during a press briefing, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced an interest in "going on the offense" and that the scheduling of any offensive will be determined by Ukraine’s choosing.

On another note, the official stated that the US is quite satisfied with the level of aid provided to Ukraine ahead of their upcoming counteroffensive.

"We are very comfortable that we have met Ukraine’s needs to conduct their counteroffensive," Kirby said, adding that the timing of the operation is up to Ukrainian authorities to decide and that the US is ready to do a lot in the coming weeks and months to support Ukraine.

The official also said that it is up to Zelensky to decide whether or not the potential for peace talks will be impacted by the level of Ukraine's success in battle, adding that Ukraine will have "no better friend" than the US in preparations for pursuing a diplomatic path.

On May 27, Oleksiy Danilov, a Ukrainian senior security official, told BBC that the long-anticipated counteroffensive is ready for commencement.

While he did not specify a date, he said the counteroffensive, whose aim is to retake "occupied territories", might be launched any day. "Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in a week."

During the interview, he revealed that the Wagner private military forces were retreating from Bakhmut, but they were "regrouping to another three locations" and "it doesn't mean that they will stop fighting with us."

The much-touted Ukrainian counteroffensive, anticipated to start in a few weeks, won't include fighter jets, but WashPo said the unusual rapidity with which the White House made the choice after over a year of hesitation.

With regard to the nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus, Danilov said that it was expected and they were "absolutely calm" about it.