Pavel: Planned Ukraine counteroffensive has good chance of success

The Czech president, Petr Pavel, says that a counteroffensive planned by Ukraine to regain territory has a good chance of success but could see high casualties if Russia uses its defences well. In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Mr. Pavel, a former head of the Czech Army and top NATO official, said that Ukraine soldiers were motivated and prepared and did not succumb to the weaknesses seen in the Russian Army.

He said Ukraine would eventually get the Western fighter jets it has requested but not in time for the upcoming offensive, where the likes of ammunition was a higher priority.

Mr. Pavel also told the news agency that Ukraine needed support for NATO and European Union admission but that becoming a member of either would be a lengthy process.