Ukraine has said it is ready for a “big battle” in the eastern part of its territory, a priority goal for Moscow, where the evacuation of civilians continues due to fears of a quick Russian offensive, AFP reports.
Ukraine is ready for a great struggle. Ukraine must win it, including in Donbass. And when that happens, Ukraine will find itself in a stronger negotiating position, which will allow it to dictate certain conditions, Interfax-Ukraine quoted President’s adviser Mykhailo Podoliak as saying.
Earlier yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told a news conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nechmer, who was in Kyiv, “we are ready to fight and at the same time look for diplomatic ways to stop this war.”
Withdrawing its troops from Kyiv Oblast and northern Ukraine, Russia has made full control of Donbass a priority, which has been partially controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014.