Zelensky says Ukraine is preparing for potential summer offensive by Russia

Hours after the United States House passed a crucial aid deal worth $61bn for Ukraine amid a raging war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country is readying soldiers for a potential Russian offensive.

Zelensky said that foreign aid "has to end up in tangible weapon systems," specifically, crucial long-range artillery.

The $61bn aid bill for Ukraine will now go to the Senate and President Biden for final signature.

Zelensky told NBC News' Kristen Welker that to befully prepared to fight back Russia's impending "full-scale" attack it was essential toreceive those supplies before it happened.

"We are preparing. The personnel is preparing. The soldiers are engaged in training," he said in translated remarks during the "Meet the Press" interview.

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"And I don't want to repeat myself, but we are waiting for the weapon systems because we want to have the brigade fully equipped. Some of them are exhausted. We need to replace them. But these new brigades, they have to have the equipment."

Russia has cemented its position in the east of Ukraine with a limitless barrage of missiles and shells.

Earlier, in an interview with CBS News, Zelensky had claimed that Russia would begin another major offensive in June or even sooner. At the same time, he pressed for support from Ukraine's allies, including the United States, to help the country defend itself.

"And 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 stabilised the situation," Zelensky said. "No, I say we need help now."

"I visited the region recently. I talked to the soldiers. The soldiers say that they lack equipment," Zelensky said on Sunday's "Meet the Press".

"They need to fight Russian reconnaissance drones, which essentially guide the artillery. And we need artillery shells. I hope we will be able to stay, and the weapons will come on time, and we will repel the enemy and then we'll break the plans of the Russian Federation with regards to this full-scale offensive."

(With inputs from agencies)