Ukraine will battle for Bakhmut "for as long as we can,"-Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine will not give up on the beleaguered town of Bakhmut in the country's east despite Moscow's soldiers continuing their assault against a town the Ukrainian leader referred to as a "fortress."

At a conference with EU leaders in Kyiv on Friday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian troops would maintain control of the fiercely disputed town in the Donetsk area for as long as possible. The town has been at the epicentre of combat for months.

"No one will hand over Bakhmut. We will fight as long as we can," Zelenskyy declared, standing shoulder to shoulder with European Council President Charles Michel, who was on his second visit to Kyiv in less than three weeks, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"If weapon (delivery) is increased, particularly long-range weaponry, we will not only not retreat from Bakhmut, but we will begin to de-occupy Donbas," Zelenskyy stated, referring to the eastern territory composed of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces.

According to Moscow, Russian soldiers are encircling Bakhmut from all sides and fighting for control of a road that is also a major supply route for Ukrainian forces.

After a two-day visit by many top European Union officials to Kyiv, Zelenskyy defiantly commented on the war over Bakhmut. The Ukrainian leader advocated for his country's speedy entrance to the regional union.