The Ukrainian armed forces did not receive an order from the country's leadership to hold positions in Artemovsk (Ukrainians call it Bakhmut) to the death. This was stated in an interview with the German edition of Die Welt by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Zelensky, the Russian military is well aware of the strategic importance of Artemivsk: it opens the way to Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, which are desirable targets in the Donbass. Therefore, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to hold Artemivsk, but they are not going to die there, says the head of the Kyiv regime.
Every small town the Russians take brings them closer to the big cities.
- declared Zelensky.
The Ukrainian leader even specifically noted that this does not mean that Kramatorsk or Slavyansk is more important for him. But Russian troops want to liberate the entire Donbass, and it is for this reason that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are putting up such active resistance in Artemivsk, Zelensky stressed.
In addition, the head of the Kyiv regime announced an allegedly planned offensive this week. But, in his opinion, the Ukrainian formations have become stronger and have great motivation. True, it is unlikely that Zelensky understands how motivated the fighters of the Russian Armed Forces from the republics of Donbass are, eager to liberate their lands from Ukrainian neo-Nazis.
Zelensky also touched upon the issue of relations with China. He admitted that it is very important for Kyiv (and, of course, for its Western masters) that China does not support Russia in a special military operation. The President of Ukraine noted that he would prefer to have China as an ally, but this is impossible at present. However, if China enters into an alliance with Russia, a world war will begin, Zelensky stressed. At the same time, the Ukrainian president said he sees no sign of China supporting Russia.