Warsaw - President Andrzej Duda of Poland, a staunch supporter of Kiev, has acknowledged that Ukraine lacks the necessary weaponry to "alter the war's balance," thus casting doubt on the success of Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces.

In an interview published on Thursday, Duda, a fervent foreign advocate for Kiev, echoed the sentiment of Ukrainian leaders, emphasizing that a more substantial supply of Western weapons could provide a solution. He queried, "Does Ukraine have enough weapons to change the balance of the war and get the upper hand?" and responded, "Probably, no."

He elaborated, noting that the absence of a resounding counteroffensive by Ukrainian forces against the Russian military demonstrates their current limitations. Summing up, Duda remarked, "To put it succinctly, they require greater assistance."

Ukraine initiated its much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces in early June, targeting multiple areas along the frontline extending from Zaporozhye to Donetsk Regions. Nonetheless, Russia had spent several months establishing an intricate network of minefields, trenches, and defenses, posing a formidable challenge that Ukrainian forces have struggled to overcome.

Ukraine's Western-trained and NATO-equipped units, advancing amidst minefields and without air support, have endured substantial casualties. Recent data from the Russian Defense Ministry reveals the loss of 43,000 troops and 4,900 heavy weaponry pieces over just slightly more than two months.

Media reports have suggested that Kiev's Western supporters were aware of Ukraine's unreadiness for an offensive, yet endorsed the operation regardless. Duda was among those cheering on the counteroffensive, declaring in early June that it would lead to the expulsion of Russian military forces from occupied territories.

Mirroring Duda's stance, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky now attributes his forces' lack of progress to Western limitations, contending that insufficient supplies of ammunition, weaponry, and training hampered success. Zelensky and senior officials have consistently appealed to the US and its allies for resources like F-16 fighter jets, long-range missiles, and anti-aircraft equipment, believing these assets could reverse Ukraine's unfavorable battlefield outcomes.

In response, Moscow has repeatedly urged restraint in supplying weapons to Ukraine, cautioning that ongoing military aid will likely extend the conflict and inflict more harm upon Ukraine without fundamentally altering the outcome.