Ukrainian officials fear not meeting allies' expectations regarding counteroffensive – WP
Western partners tells Reznikov that they now need "the next example of a success because they need to show it to their people"
Senior Ukrainian officials are trying to lower expectations for a counteroffensive, fearing they will not meet allies' expectations.
This was reported by The Washington Post, which interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
"The buildup ahead of the assault – the details of which remain secret – has left Ukrainian officials grappling with a difficult question: What outcome will be enough to impress the West, especially Washington?
Some fear that if the Ukrainians fall short, Kyiv may lose international military assistance or face new pressure to engage with moscow at a negotiating table – not on the battlefield. Such talks would almost certainly involve russian demands for a negotiated surrender of sovereign territory, which Ukraine has called unacceptable," the publication notes.
Comments. In an interview with WP last week, Reznikov said that "the expectation from our counteroffensive campaign is overestimated in the world".
"Most people are waiting for something huge," he said.
In his opinion, this can lead to "emotional disappointment".
"We inspired everywhere because the perception was that we will fall during 72 hours," Reznikov said.
According to him, Western partners told him that they now need "the next example of a success because we need to show it to our people".
"I believe that the more victories we have on the battlefield, frankly, the more people will believe in us, which means we will get more help," Zelensky said in an interview with the publication on Monday.
Background. Exaggerated expectations are due to Ukraine's previous victories on the battlefield: repelling russia's attempt to capture Kyiv, driving the occupiers from strongholds during unexpected attacks in the Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts.
Now russia may have a geographical advantage and a larger number of troops, the publication writes. Realising this, Ukrainian officials continue to demand additional arms from their supporters in the West.
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