The AP Interview: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says the war with Russia is in a new phase as winter looms

The main subject of the interview with President Zelenskyy is the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, particularly discussing the challenges posed by the approaching winter.

President Zelenskyy mentions that the war has entered a new phase as winter is approaching, and he highlights the difficulties this season brings to the conflict.

Zelenskyy expresses concerns that the Israel-Hamas war may divert global attention and resources away from Ukraine’s conflict, potentially impacting Western military aid.

The recent counteroffensive did not achieve the desired results, and Zelenskyy points out that Ukraine faced limitations in receiving all the necessary weapons from allies.

Ukraine is allocating a significant portion of its budget to boost domestic arms production, and Zelenskyy is seeking favorable loans and contracts from Western allies to support this goal.

Zelenskyy acknowledges that elections can be a challenge, especially when it comes to securing support for Ukraine, but he emphasizes the importance of continued aid.

Zelenskyy mentions that while some voices for peace are heard, there is no significant pressure from Ukraine’s allies to negotiate a peace deal with Russia at this time.

The conflict has forced Ukraine to restructure its economy around the war, with a significant portion of the GDP allocated to defense and national security. Daily life for Ukrainians is marked by the ongoing conflict.

Zelenskyy acknowledges the difficulties of his leadership role during the war but emphasizes his commitment to staying in office to address the ongoing challenges.