02/01/2024 05:16 (current 02/01/2024 05:16)
Zelenskyy currently sees no viable path to peace ©APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the West not to show weakness towards Russia. If Ukraine loses this war against Russia, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will bring the war closer to the West. “Putin recognizes weakness as an animal, because he is an animal,” Zelensky said in an interview with British magazine The Economist published on New Year’s Day. If he smells blood, Putin will become strong.
“And he will also eat everyone else for dinner, including the EU, NATO, freedom and democracy.” Zelenskyy currently saw no viable path to peace. He himself does not see “any fundamental measures” being taken by the Russian side. Instead, there are just constant airstrikes from the Russian side. “I only recognize the steps of a terrorist state.” At most, Russia sends supposed peace signals when its arsenals are empty. But after a pause for breath, things continue “full force” again.
Zelensky declined to reveal Ukraine's war aims for 2024, as leaks last year revealed preparations for Ukraine's summer offensive and made Russian preparations possible. However, efforts are being made to reduce Russia's military capabilities in Crimea. “This is extremely important for us because it would allow us to reduce the number of attacks in this region,” Zelensky said. Most of the drones used to attack Ukrainian cities originate from Crimea.
To cut off supplies to the peninsula, Ukraine needs German Taurus cruise missiles, Zelensky said. This could mean attacking the Kerch bridge, for example. “Russia must know that this is a military target for us.” So far, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to hand over the Taurus to Kiev.
On New Year's Day, the Russian military launched another wave of drone and combat missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kiev. People were asked to go to shelters on Monday afternoon, Ukrainian media reported. Shortly afterwards, explosions were heard throughout the city as anti-aircraft defenses went into action. Drone and missile attacks have also been reported in other cities in eastern Ukraine. Near Sumy, two people died when a drone hit a residential building.
Russia launched 90 kamikaze drones at targets in Ukraine on New Year's Eve. According to its own information, the Ukrainian air defense system destroyed 87 of these drones.
Heavy fighting was reported in several sectors of the front on New Year's Day. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev announced in the evening that 38 attacks by Russian troops were repelled in the east of the country alone. Ukrainian rocket artillery managed to hit several Russian infantry staging areas and artillery positions. The information could not be independently verified.