Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, as reported by Bloomberg, that "the Ukrainian armed forces will have to retreat" if the West stops providing support to his country. Zelensky said, "Right now, I’m focused on getting help from the West. Their attention has shifted to a second area because of the situation in the Middle East and other reasons. Without their support, we will retreat." It is notable that Zelensky has spent the past week trying to convince Western allies that his forces will be able to prepare for battles this winter.