Ukraine war: Russia could intensify its offensive, need more men to boost forces' morale, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Friday (May 17) that Russia could intensify its offensive in Ukraine, adding his governmentwould only accept a "fair peace" despite the West's calls for a quick solution.In an interview with the news agency AFP,Zelenskyalsoacknowledged that his military needed more men toboost the forces' morale.

"We need to staff the reserves... A large number of (brigades) are empty," Zelensky said amid a mobilisation law coming into force on Saturday.The law lowers the minimum age of mobilisation from 27 to 25 and streamlines mobilisation procedures. However, it scrapsa vital proposal that would have given soldiers serving for more than 36 months the possibility tobe discharged.

Zelensky also repeated pleas for allies to send more air defence and fighter jets and said the "biggest advantage" for Russia was a ban on Ukraine using Western-donated weapons to strike Russian territory.

'No one is going to giveup'

Zelensky,who has beenthe face of Ukraine's resistance against Russia since Moscow launched its offensive in February 2022, told AFP on Friday that his country wouldhold its defensive lines and stop anymajorRussian breakthrough.

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"No one is going to give up," he said. "We want the war to end with a fair peace for us.Whilethe West wants the war to end. Period. As soon as possible. And for them, this is a fair peace," the Ukrainian president added.

An appeal to China

Zelensky appealed to China and other countriesfrom the developing world to attend a peace summit with dozens of leaders being hosted by neutral Switzerland next month to which Russia has notbeen invited.

Zelensky pointed out that global players like China have influence over Russia. "And the more such countries we have on our side, on the side of the end of the war, I would say, the more Russia will have to move and reckon with," he told the news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)