Russia is preparing to launch another major offensive in May or June, Zelenskyi says. A Russian fighter jet crashes into the sea in Crimea. The President of France\u2019s National Assembly addresses Ukraine\u2019s Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another major offensive from Russia is expected around the end of May or in June, President Zelenskyi said in an interview with CBS News published Thursday. He didn\u2019t specify in which directions Russia could possibly strike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With spring approaching, Zelenskyi said Ukraine\u2019s forces had managed to hold off Russian advances through the worst of the winter months. But he acknowledged that the invading Russian troops and their seemingly endless supply of missiles and shells had destroyed \u201csome villages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have stabilized the situation. It is better than it used to be two or three months ago when we had a big deficit of artillery ammunition, different kinds of weapons,\u201d Zelenskyi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t have rounds, artillery rounds, a lot of different things,\u201d he said, stressing that while his troops have managed to keep the Russians largely at bay up to now, they\u2019re not prepared to defend against another major Russian offensive expected in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That, he said, was expected around the end of May or in June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd before that, we not only need to prepare, we not only need to stabilize the situation, because the partners are sometimes really happy that we have stabilized the situation,\u201d Zelenskyi said of the U.S. and Ukraine\u2019s other backers. \u201cNo, I say we need help now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CBS team joined Zelenskyi as he inspected freshly dug underground bunkers in Ukraine\u2019s northeast, on the outskirts of the city of Sumy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire area is on a war footing in response to a significant buildup of Russian troops just across that border, and attacks on nearby villages, Zelenskyi told the journalists. \u201cUsually, when they attack by artillery and destroy the villages, after that, they always tried to occupy,\u201d he said. \u201cWe don\u2019t know what will be tomorrow. That\u2019s why we have to prepare.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said what\u2019s needed most are American Patriot missile defense systems, and more artillery. While he\u2019s grateful for the billions of dollars in U.S. support his country has already received, he said the nature of the funding dedicated by the American government to help Ukraine must be put into perspective. \u201cDozens of billions remain in the U.S.,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s be honest, the money which is allocated by the Congress, by the administration, in the majority of cases, 80% of this money \u2014 well, at least more than 75% \u2014 stays in the U.S. This ammunition is coming to us, but the production is taking place there, and the money stays in the U.S., and the taxes are staying in the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Russian fighter jet crashed into the sea off the coast of Sevastopol in Crimea on Thursday. Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram that the pilot ejected from the jet before it crashed and was rescued by local crews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A video circulated on local Telegram channels showing a falling aircraft on fire. \u201cIn Sevastopol, Russian forces shot down their own aircraft as it was taking off from the Belbek airfield,\u201d a post on the Telegram channel called \u201cCrimean wind\u201d said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shortly before the crash, there was an explosion. The plane that crashed could be a Russian Su-27 fighter jet, but the reports remain unconfirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ya\u00ebl Braun-Pivet, the President of France\u2019s National Assembly arrived in Kyiv on Thursday with a delegation of colleagues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Ukraine with Val\u00e9rie Rabault [the First Deputy President of the National Assembly], Thomas Gassilloud [the Chairman of the Defense Committee], and Benjamin Haddad [the Chairman of the France-Ukraine Friendship Group] to reaffirm the National Assembly\u2019s support for the Ukrainian people. Thank you, dear Ruslan Stefanchuk for the warm welcome!\u201d she said on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Braun-Pivet delivered a speech to the Ukrainian Parliament. She was interrupted by air raid sirens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs Ukraine reforms, modernizes its structures, and fights corruption, it does not pass laws to meet a particular externally dictated membership criterion. It does so for itself and for the sake of the destiny it has chosen,\u201d she said, according to a text released by the Ukrainian Parliament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven in the difficult situation you are in, it is necessary to preserve the integrity of your democratic and parliamentary institutions. (\u2026) You have been able to preserve it, and this is important at a time when Russian propaganda is always ready to exploit any of your weaknesses to turn it against you,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe day will come when a peaceful Ukraine restores its legal borders. The day will come when the 26 free seats belonging to Crimea and Donbas, which I see here in the hall, are filled. The day will come when martyr cities rise again, when war criminals pay, when grain from Ukrainian fields once again feeds all those suffering from hunger without hindrance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe day will come when Ukraine will no longer be a frontline, but the \u2018eastern gate\u2019 of the European Union, majestic and welcoming, like all your people. This day will be the day of Victory, your Victory. You are not alone in this, and you can count on France, together with its partners, France will help to strengthen its defense industry, just as it will soon help to rebuild it,\u201d Braun-Pivet said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n