Zelensky warns that a Russian victory anywhere in Ukraine is perilous
LA TimesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that unless his nation wins a drawn-out battle in a key eastern city, Russia could begin building international support for a deal that could require Ukraine to make unacceptable compromises. If Bakhmut fell to Russian forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin would “sell this victory to the West, to his society, to China, to Iran,” Zelensky said in an interview Tuesday with the Associated Press. “If he will feel some blood — smell that we are weak — he will push, push, push,” Zelensky said in English, which he used for virtually all of the interview. She did say that Beijing maintains “communication with all parties concerned, including Ukraine.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, asked whether a meeting between Xi and Zelensky would be useful to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, said Russian authorities “highly appreciate” China’s balanced position on the issue and “have no right to come up with any advice” on whether the two should meet. He expressed confidence, however, that his nation would prevail through a series of “small victories” and “small steps” against a “very big country, big enemy” — a “big army” with “small hearts.” And Ukraine itself?