RUSSIALINK: “Poroshenko apologizes to Ukrainians for giving ‘excessive expectations’ in 2014” – Interfax

KYIV. Aug 23 (Interfax) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has apologized for mistakenly forecasting a rapid completion of the military operation in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

“I said over four years ago that the ATO [anti-terrorist operation] would take hours instead of months. The context of my statement is irrelevant. […] I am sorry for giving excessive expectations. I sincerely apologize for giving hope that did not come true. It is a pity that I did not keep my promise. My apology,” Poroshenko said at the Ukrainian flag’s hoisting ceremony in the city of Dnipro (former Dnipropetrovsk) on Thursday

[Poroshenko image is file photo from another occasion]