Tensions in Kyiv are on the rise due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, with Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasizing that the situation is not at a stalemate.

There appears to be a growing public rift between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his military leadership following a savage back and forth on the situation regarding the war with Russia.

The deputy head of Zelensky’s office, Igor Zhovka, denounced on Saturday the military leader of Ukraine’s assessment that the battle with Russia is at a “stalemate,” escalating a rivalry in Kyiv that has raised concerns about Western support for the fight.

In an interview with The Economist on Wednesday, military leader Valery Zaluzhny stated that “there will most likely be no deep and beautiful breakthrough” in the battle and that “we have reached the level of technology that puts us into a stalemate.” He was replying to this statement.

Zhovka stated to Ukrainian television that the Russians would have “carefully read, noted down, and drawn conclusions” from Zaluzhny’s interview. He claimed to have received calls “in a panic” from peers in partner nations inquiring as to whether the fighting is, as Zaluzhny claimed, truly at a standstill.

“Is this the outcome we were hoping to accomplish with this piece?” Zhovka declared.

Maybe this is a highly detailed strategic plan, and by doing this, we will succeed to some extent. However, I must admit that I am astonished,” Zhovka continued.

At this critical juncture in the conflict, tensions are heightened by Kyiv’s plodding counteroffensive and the escalation of violence in the Middle East, which has raised concerns that Western military and financial support may start to wane.

During a news conference on Saturday with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelensky acknowledged that people are “tired” following 18 months of conflict in the nation, but he also disagreed with Zaluzhnyi’s assessment.

“People are worn out. Everybody is worn out. Divergent viewpoints exist [..] Whatever one’s rank, everyone is human. But there isn’t a deadlock here. I want to stress this one more. We’ve already discussed this. “This is not news of any kind,” Zelensky declared.

“We must all come together to sort things out, collaborate more with our allies on air defense, open the skies, and allow our men to launch offensive operations. It is this that requires our consideration. about this only. Not about our plans for tomorrow. Zelensky remarked, “But now.”

In the interview, Zaluzhny also outlined his ideas about what Ukraine should do and the kind of assistance that partners could provide in order to end the impasse.

However, his portrayal of the conflict in general caused a stir in Ukraine and garnered global attention. Zelensky presented the president of Ukraine as a more solitary person in a different interview with TIME.

Nobody shares my conviction that we will win. Nobody, Zelensky said to TIME, emphasizing that it “takes all your power, your energy” to implant those ideas in Ukraine’s partners.

“The weariness of battle surges forward in waves. Zelensky was cited as stating, “You see that in Europe and the United States.

He acknowledged that the conflict between Israel and Hamas has drawn attention away from Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, making it more difficult to sustain support for his nation’s campaign abroad.

Naturally, the developments in the Middle East hurt us. Zelensky stated, “There are people dying, and the world needs to help save lives there.”

He elaborated on such remarks when von der Leyen visited Kiev on Saturday.

“It is clear that the Middle East situation is taking away attention. It seems to be one of the Russian Federation’s objectives. It is true. We observe the results,” Zelensky remarked.

Following the Hamas strikes on October 7, the Ukrainian leader had previously voiced support for Israel and advised international leaders to “go to Israel” in order to assist the “people who have been under terrorist attacks.”

In the meantime, Ukraine is carrying out a challenging counteroffensive in the east and south against Russian soldiers.

More effective airstrikes have been delivered by Kyiv, which reported that on Saturday, its air force successfully attacked a shipyard in the eastern port city of Kerch on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.

In a statement on Telegram, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk congratulated the pilots who took part in the operations. According to a Russian official, missiles were fired against a shipyard; however, they were intercepted by air defenses. CNN is unable to independently confirm either assertion.

For two hours on Saturday, traffic was briefly stopped on the Crimean Bridge, also referred to as the Kerch Bridge. Road closures on the crucial route that links the seized peninsula with mainland Russia have gone unannounced by Russian officials.