Victoria Nuland spoke on how long the Ukrainian counteroffensive was being prepared

Victoria Nuland US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs said that Ukraine’s counteroffensive was being prepared for about 5 months.

She mentioned this at the 15^th annual Kyiv Security Forum, established by Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation.

“Ukraine will win and be prosperous. That’s what we’re working on now in Washington. While you are planning a counteroffensive, that we have been developing together for 4-5 months, we start discussing the future of Ukraine with representatives of Ukrainian authorities, with our friends in Kyiv, with civilians and with the military,” she said.

The Under Secretary of State added that the United States currently assist Ukraine in building up its security and military potential so that they become a sufficient deterrent for Russia to prevent it from starting a new war in future.

In addition, according to Ms Nuland, Ukraine has all what is needed to move towards the EU membership.

“Speaking about Ukrainian economy, we mean not only survival, but prosperity as well. We believe that Ukraine enjoys all the necessary components to move towards its membership in the European Union and to play a significant role in gaining prosperity not only for itself, but for enhancing stability and harmony in the whole of Europe”, - emphasized Victoria Nuland.

Ukraine, she noted, is capable of creating jobs in IT sector and in production, as well as providing job places for internally displaced persons and for Ukrainian defenders returning home from the front after the war is over.

Noteworthy, the 15th annual Kyiv security forum “For Our and Your Freedom / Fighting for NATO” will be held on May 25-26, 2023, with the participation of well-known international figures. In particular, at the Forum, the KSF Security Council will be formed and a policy document will be adopted with recommendations for the NATO summit in Vilnius to be held this July.