Zelensky ignored counteroffensive warnings – NATO member — RT World News
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Russia's military superiority meant the Kiev operation was doomed to failure.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had ignored direct warnings that Kiev's counteroffensive last year was doomed to fail because of Russia's military superiority.
Speaking to Messaggero news agency in an interview published on Monday, Crosetto said this “The result of war is the sum of those who have the greatest number of men and the most means.” This simply claims to be “Truth or justice” On your side does not lead to victory.
The minister revealed that he had particularly warned Kiev during international forums and during Zelensky's visit to Italy about this He added, “The Ukrainian counterattack will not succeed due to Russia's military superiority and could harm the outcome of the conflict.”
“But I didn't listen” Crosetto added.
Launched in the summer of 2023, Kiev's counteroffensive was widely recognized as a failure after Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties without making any notable territorial gains. The Russian Defense Ministry estimated that Ukraine lost more than 166,000 soldiers during the operation, as well as nearly 800 tanks, 2,400 armored vehicles, and 132 aircraft.
During his interview, Crosetto also commented on recent suggestions by French President Emmanuel Macron that Paris might send troops to fight in Ukraine under certain circumstances. The minister warned against any such step, citing this “In this way we risk reaching the point of no return.”
Crosetto also spoke about the failure of sanctions on Russia, considering that the West deluded itself that it owned the world and failed to realize the global transformations.
“Too often we act as if the world hasn't changed.” Crosetto explained. We have always believed that the West was enough to stop Russia and the sanctions are a result of the fact that we are still stuck in the idea that the world is our world. Instead, the world is much larger and we can only solve this crisis by involving everyone: first with a truce, then with peace.
The interlocutor argued in response that Russian President Vladimir Putin did so “There has been no sign of willingness to negotiate.” Crosetto replied that it was “A good reason to work harder.”
He added: “We must not abandon all possible ways and openings, even narrow ones, for diplomacy.” He said.
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