Zelensky admits Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russian troops in has failed to meet its objectives

Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted his country's counter-offensive against Russian troops in eastern Ukraine has failed to meet its objectives.

His remarks emerged yesterday amid increased pressure on the Kyiv government to enter peace talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Mr Zelensky, whose wartime leadership has been likened to Winston Churchill, admitted Ukraine's attempt to force a Russian retreat had not achieved 'the desired results'.

In recent weeks the counter-offensive has stalled due to frozen battlefields and stiff resistance from recently rearmed Russian troops.

At the same time Western support for the conflict has appeared to fragment, with allies questioning the cost of high-tech weapons and equipment.

Speaking in Kyiv, Mr Zelensky conceded Ukraine had 'wanted faster results'. Asked if he felt pressure to enter peace talks, he said: 'I don't feel it yet.' But tellingly he added: 'Some voices are always heard.' In recent months international leaders, such as Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden, have been distracted by the Middle Eastern conflict.

This could account for the UK's failure to announce an extension to its £2.3billion military aid package which runs out in March. While Mr Zelensky expressed regret about the failure of Western partners to provide enough weapons, Putin has no such concerns.

In the last year he has effectively militarised Russia's economy, leading to a startling sevenfold increase in tank production. Production of artillery and armoured vehicles has also more than doubled.

These increases have produced results on the battlefield, with his troops making significant advances into Ukrainian territory along the 621-mile front line. Russian forces appear poised to capture the strategically significant town of Avdiivka, which Ukraine has held since 2014.

Mr Zelensky said: 'We wanted faster results. From that perspective, unfortunately, we did not achieve the desired results. And this is a fact. There is not enough power to achieve the desired results faster.

'We can see the consequences of global society switching [its attention] because of the tragedy in the Middle East, only the blind could not recognise this...

'We must not allow people to forget about the war here. Attention equals help.'

When it launched its counter-offensive earlier this year, the Ukrainians wanted to breach Russia's defences and advance all the way to the Sea of Azov.

Today this objective appears out of reach.

Mr Zelensky repeated his warning that a reduction in US support for Ukraine would increase Russia's threat. He said: 'If resilience fails due to lack of aid, it will mean Russia will most likely invade Nato countries and then the American children will fight.'