Ukraine’s counter-offensive has not failed, one of the European Union’s most senior leaders has insisted.

European Council president Charles Michel said Ukraine’s Black Sea navy and its recently established bridgehead over the Dnipro river had achieved successes .

“I don’t think this counteroffensive had failed,” he said in an interview with the Kyiv Independent.

“Firstly, how the Ukrainian Army made huge progress in the Black Sea is extremely important. This is a major step in the right direction.

“Secondly, the recent progress made on the left side of the Dnipro River is also very important.”

Concerns have grown in recent months about Western allies’ commitment to funding Ukraine’s defence amid a faltering counter-offensive that has not shifted the frontlines as much as had been hoped.

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