KYIV (REUTERS) - Ukraine's top presidential aide said on Tuesday (July 19) that Ukraine does not want the war to last into winter, as this would give Russian forces time to dig in and make any Ukrainian counter-offensive more difficult.

In an interview with Ukrainian magazine NV, President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak expressed hopes that the US arms lend-lease to Ukraine will provide a sufficient quantity of weapons before winter to allow Ukrainian troops to achieve "victory" before then.

"It is very important for us not to enter the winter. After winter, when the Russians will have more time to dig in, it will certainly be more difficult," Yermak said.

Russia was trying to "drag" Ukraine into such a protracted conflict, Yermak said.

The Kremlin has said there is no time limit to a conflict it began on Feb 24 and calls a "special military operation" to ensure its own security.

Ukraine and the West condemn it as an unprovoked war of aggression.