Colonel Tiele: Western perception of Zelenskyy has changed
The perception of Vladimir Zelenskyy has changed in the West, retired Colonel Ralph Thiele said in comments to German publication Focus.
‘After the West encouraged Zelenskyy’s hopes for military support and integration into NATO and the EU with euphoric statements and narratives in recent years, there is now a phase of disillusionment,’ he said.
The colonel added that Kiev’s foreign allies want to bear the burden of this conflict only to a limited extent.
‘It’s bitter for Zelenskyy. But it also helps to assess the remaining military and political options more realistically,’ Thiele said.
Last week, Bild reported that Germany will no longer send heavy military equipment to Ukraine. In addition, it was reported that the German Defence Ministry does not believe that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be able to launch a counter-offensive in the near future.
Russia believes that arms deliveries to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involve NATO countries in the conflict and are ‘playing with fire’. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargoes that contain arms for Ukraine would be a legitimate target.
