Russia-Ukraine conflict: Zelenskyy says Ukraine continues to fight, even Russians expect defeat

Ukraine has made gains in the war waged by Russia that has already continued for five months. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address over the weekend that Ukraine’s resolve has not wavered as it will do everything it can to drive Russian forces out.

In the nightly address Sunday, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would continue to do everything to inflict as much damage on Russian forces as possible. Zelenskyy also said that even Russian troops have admitted that they are expected to face defeat.

“Even the occupiers admit we will win,” said Zelenskyy while hailing the upcoming holiday marking Ukraine’s statehood on July 28. The holiday was announced last year. “We hear it in their conversations all the time. In what they are telling their relatives when they call them.”

Zelenskyy also said that the country’s resolve has not wavered after five months. “We will do everything to inflict the highest possible damage on the enemy and to gather for Ukraine as much support as possible,” said Zelenskyy, adding that the country will continue to celebrate its statehood this year regardless of the war.

Meanwhile, Moscow further cut off gas supplies to Europe just as there was progress on the deal regarding the exporting of Ukrainian grain.

The United Nations said that even after a strike by Russian forces over the weekend, the first ships from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports may be deployed under the deal that was agreed upon Friday last week.

This move would help ease the international food crisis, even as mistrust and potential danger are still evident.

This also comes amidst gains by Ukrainian forces in the eastern territory while warning that Russian forces are preparing for a new offensive in the city of Bakhmut in the Donbas region. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin warned the West that sanctions on Russia risked global energy price increases.

With the latest move to cut off gas supplies, Germany said there was no technical reason. The European Union has since accused Moscow of energy blackmail, while Zelenskyy warned that Russia is waging an “open gas war” on the rest of Europe.