Vladimir Zelensky, president of Ukraine, recently made a major announcement about his intention to retake the lost Donbas territories within the next three to six weeks. This declaration caused a stir around the world.

Zelensky's claim that a significant counter-offensive will be launched in the south has been well-timed. For his significant announcement, the Ukrainian President picked June 28, the night before the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, when nationalistic fervour is at its peak.

But what is the true background that led Zelensky to declare that the six-month military campaign with Russia, which started in late February of this year, would suddenly be drastically altered? Is Zelensky acting now because Ukraine has already lost control of 20% of its territory, which includes a significant portion of the Donbass republics that have not been recognised as well as the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye. Does he believe that, as a result of his military defeats, his political survival is now in jeopardy? In actuality, Ukraine has lost control of the vital southeast, which is home to one of Europe's biggest nuclear power facilities.

This area also serves as a gateway to the Black Sea, which the North Atlantic Alliance has designated as a key zone on its southern and eastern flanks in its new NATO policy.
Zelensky intends to "kick Russia in the teeth" at this location after receiving American HIMARIS and other weaponry recently. He is also attempting to mobilise individuals as elderly as 60 to form a one million-person army.

Has the Ukrainian war thus reached a turning point, when it is now or never for the Ukrainian President? Zelensky is undoubtedly feeling the heat from the West. The West desperately wants Kiev to score a definitive win against Russia rather than facing defeat after investing so much money and weapons and risking its reputation internationally.

Unsurprisingly, Zelensky called for a coordinated reaction to stand up to Russia in his key address to boost national spirit during the last week of July.  Ironically, recent events indicate that internal solidarity in Ukraine may be disintegrating.

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