Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General Mark Milley, stated on June 30th that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing slower than anticipated by many, but the progress is steadily growing. This was reported by the BBC.
"It's happening slower than predicted, and that doesn't surprise me", - Milley said while speaking to an audience at the National Press Club. "It's moving steadily, purposefully, navigating through minefields and other obstacles".
It is noted that this week Milley spoke on the phone with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who informed the general that the Ukrainian forces managed to seize the strategic initiative on the front line.
At the same time, the Coordinator of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, emphasized that decisions regarding the pace and directions of the advance on russian positions are made by the Ukrainian side.
"We are in constant contact with our Ukrainian colleagues", - Kirby noted. "They keep us informed, and we continue to do everything possible to assist them in the counteroffensive, whether through training, as you know, they are still undergoing training at the brigade level, or providing additional capabilities, as well as advice and information. We continue to support them during these offensive operations, but where they go and how fast they go is their decision".
As reported, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, stated that every meter of de-occupied Ukrainian territory has been paid for with the blood of Ukrainian servicemen, and he is irritated by comments suggesting that the counteroffensive is progressing slower than expected.