Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, made it clear on Sunday that his country's forthcoming counteroffensive is not meant to target Russian territory but rather to retake the seized parts of his country.
Zelensky, who was speaking with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, shot off rumors that Ukraine would aim its military action toward Russia. In contrast to striking Russia, Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine's priority is to "liberate" its "legitimate territory," according to The Hill.
Ukraine's head of state made this remark while touring European allies to solicit further military and monetary assistance for the continuing conflict with Russia.
The press conference with Scholz marked Zelensky's first visit to Germany since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war and comes shortly after Germany announced a military assistance package for Ukraine valued at over $3 billion, which includes tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently announced that the United States had sent "several tanks" to Germany for the Ukrainian forces' training before a US Senate Appropriations military subcommittee hearing, per AP News.
The White House official said that the Ukrainian military will be granted use of the Abrams tanks that are now being produced for them after the training, which is anticipated to take about 10 weeks.
Russian Forces Withdraw From Bakhmut
On Friday, Russia announced that its forces had left the destroyed eastern city of Bakhmut. The commander of Russia's Wagner private army described the withdrawal as a "rout" instead of a "regrouping."
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops had gained control of another Bakhmut block and that Airborne Forces units rendered support to assault units and "pinned down the enemy" on the outskirts, per Al Jazeera.
The Wagner private militia, which has been leading the attack on Bakhmut at a high cost in lives, is often referred to by the Russian government as "assault units."
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