Zelensky reacts to the threat of encirclement of Pokrovsk: what the president decided
13 November 17:50
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the decision to withdraw or hold positions should be made by military commanders directly on the ground.
He said this in an interview with Bloomberg, commenting on the situation in the Pokrovsk sector, where fierce fighting continues, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“No one is forcing them to die for the sake of ruins. I will support our soldiers, especially the commanders who are there, in how they can control the situation. Otherwise, it will be too expensive for us. The main thing for us is our soldiers,” Zelensky emphasized.
What is known about the battle for Pokrovsk
In recent weeks, Russian troops have intensified their offensive on Pokrovsk, trying to advance to the northern borders of the city. According to the 7th Airborne Corps, there are more than 300 Russian occupants in Pokrovsk.
Despite the complicated logistics, the General Staff assures that Ukrainian units are not surrounded.
The President has recently visited the positions of the 25th Brigade near Pokrovsk and met with soldiers of the Azov National Guard Corps. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, also visited the area, calling the situation “difficult but under control.”
Political overtones
Zelenskyy attributes the intensification of Russian attacks to the Kremlin’s political calculations. According to him, Moscow is seeking to show success in Donbas to convince Donald Trump that a forced “peace scenario” with the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops is advisable.
“We cannot leave the east of Ukraine. People will not understand this. And most importantly, no one will give guarantees that, having captured a settlement, they will not go further,” the president emphasized.
The energy front and the prospect of negotiations
Zelenskyy also said that the Russian army does not have “great power,” and its main strategy is now aimed at destroying the Ukrainian energy system to weaken resistance.
“They know that as soon as the energy factor disappears, they have no other strong factors left,” he said.
Nevertheless, the head of state confirmed that Ukraine remains open to ceasefire negotiations if such initiatives do not contradict national interests.
