Kyiv [Russia], January 12: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected the idea of a ceasefire with Russia, saying it would only benefit Moscow by giving it time to replenish its arms.
Russia has a "huge" shortfall in drones, artillery and missiles, but the Kremlin would use the pause in fighting to refill those weapon stocks, Zelensky said on Thursday while on a visit to Estonia.
Zelensky said Moscow is currently being forced to stock up on weapons from Iran and North Korea for use against Ukraine. A ceasefire would also give Russia the chance to reposition and regroup its forces, potentially putting Ukrainian troops on the back foot in future fighting.
A suspension of hostilities could wind up allowing Russian forces to "overwhelm us - and we will not risk that," Zelensky said in summing up his position.
Zelensky spoke after meeting Estonian President Alar Karis. He landed in the capital Tallinn on Thursday as part of a three-nation tour of the Baltics. He was in Lithuania on Wednesday. Zelensky is trying to rally international support for his country, which has been defending itself against an all-out Russian invasion for nearly two years.
But there are increasing signs of war fatigue in one of Kiev's main backers, the United States, as well as in some quarters of Europe.
The former Soviet republics Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia are among the most determined advocates of Ukraine, providing Kiev with consistent military, financial and humanitarian support.
They are also pushing for tougher sanctions on Moscow at the EU level and more arms deliveries to Kiev.
In Tallinn, Zelensky kept up his campaign for Ukraine's quick entry into the NATO defence alliance, saying it would not only be the best security guarantee for Ukraine, but also for the Baltic States and Poland, all of which border Russia. Zelensky thanked Estonia for the "constantly tangible support" that the EU and NATO member state provides.
Estonia has supported Ukraine in multiple ways and demonstrated its leadership role with 17 military aid packages already delivered, Zelensky said.
"Estonia will continue to support Ukraine as long as the war lasts," President Karis assured Zelensky.
Estonia has committed to providing Ukraine with 0.25% of its annual defence budget until 2027. Estonia's total aid since the start of the war will then amount to €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion), according to Karis.
Estonia has a population of around 1.2 million.
Source: Qatar Tribune