Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted that the country's planned summer counteroffensive against Russia's invasion has not yielded the expected results. In an interview with The Associated Press in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Zelenskyy discussed the challenges faced by Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Zelenskyy stated that despite not achieving the desired outcomes, Ukraine remains resilient and determined to continue its fight. He acknowledged that Ukraine's second-best army in the world is engaged in a tough battle against Russian forces, but expressed dissatisfaction with the loss of lives resulting from the conflict.

The Ukrainian president highlighted the lack of necessary weapons from allies as one of the primary reasons for the slow progress in reclaiming territory from Russian troops. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine had hoped for faster results, but they were unable to achieve the desired outcomes due to the insufficient supply of weapons.

As the winter sets in, ground movements are expected to further slow down, leading Zelenskyy to predict an increase in Russia's air campaign. He admitted that major breakthroughs and significant advancements have been challenging to achieve, but stressed that surrendering is not an option for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy expressed concerns that global attention may be diverted from the conflict in Ukraine, especially due to the Israel-Hamas war and the upcoming U.S. election year. He emphasized the importance of allies' focus and attention, as it translates into crucial support for Ukraine in its time of need.

To reduce dependence on external suppliers, Zelenskyy aims to enhance Ukraine's domestic arms production, enabling the country to manufacture its own weapons. He believes that Ukraine becoming militarily independent would deter Russia's destabilization and occupation plans.

The Ukrainian president also revealed that he had communicated his concerns to U.S. President Biden, highlighting Putin's fear of Ukraine's military independence. Zelenskyy stressed that if Ukraine's domestic arms production becomes powerful, the country will rely on itself, causing Russia's plans to collapse.

As Ukraine faces setbacks in its summer offensive against Russia's invasion, the nation remains resolute in its pursuit of independence and desires to strengthen its domestic arms production. The conflict continues to be one of the most significant global challenges since World War II, with the support and attention of allies being crucial for Ukraine's progress.