The head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, admitted on Friday that the counteroffensive in Kiev, which is facing resistance from Russian forces, is “not progressing very quickly”.
• Also read: Ukraine says it has advanced about two kilometers in a week to the south
• Also read: Putin says Prigozhin rejected one of his offers
“Today doesn’t move very quickly,” Mr. Irmak told a small media group, including AFP, acknowledging that the fight has been tough. “If we see that something is not right, we will say so. No one is going to sweeten up” the situation, he added.
Mr. Ermak also confirmed that the Western allies did not pressure Kiev on this issue. “No pressure, just a question: How can we help you further?”
“Everyone in the world understands that it is impossible to put pressure on Ukraine,” emphasized Mr. Yermak, who is considered the right-hand man of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Andreich Yermak also argued that Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia as long as Moscow’s forces are on Ukrainian soil.
Our position is very clear. Even thinking about these negotiations is possible only after the Russian troops leave our lands. He continued, “Everyone understands that we will not talk to the Russians” before that.