After giving the strongest indication yet that Ukraine’s counteroffensive is imminent, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday urged his compatriots to personally thank the volunteers and soldiers fighting Russian troops, in a sign of how grim the next phase of the war could be.
Mr. Zelensky singled out more than a dozen soldiers by name, noting that in his nightly speeches he usually thanks specific units or brigades.
But Saturday’s address was, he said, a collection of “more personal words of gratitude to particular warriors.”His plea to thank soldiers, even if only on social media, followed similar statements from his top military commanders, who have said they are ready for the counteroffensive despite a lack of air defense systems.
And his defense minister rebuffed peace talks at a summit of military officials in Singapore on Saturday.
Ukraine has also grown bolder, attacking behind Russian lines in past months, another sign of the shifting tone of the war.
Persons:
Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, ”
Organizations:
Saturday
Locations:
Singapore, Ukraine