Category: Attack on Ukraine

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 2 January 2026.

Dear Ukrainians!

Today, we have begun a substantial overhaul – internal changes to make Ukraine more resilient. Last year, there were good results from state institutions that need to be scaled up, as well as problems that should not carry over into the new year. Therefore, a wave of personnel changes is underway, and more decisions will follow regarding institutions.

First, Kyrylo Budanov has been appointed Head of the Office of the President. Kyrylo’s experience and strength are enough to steer the Office’s work toward security matters and the negotiation process exactly as needed.

Second, Oleh Ivashchenko will head the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine of the Ministry of Defense. He previously served in the Defense Intelligence and led Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service – a highly qualified professional. A decision regarding the Foreign Intelligence Service will follow soon.

Third, there will be a new Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and I am awaiting nominations from the Minister of Internal Affairs for appointment. We discussed changes with Serhii Deineko and with Ihor Klymenko – new approaches will be introduced in managing the Border Guard Service.

Fourth, I have instructed the preparation of a presidential draft law to update the State Bureau of Investigation. There are things that should be changed. I expect the draft law in January for submission to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Government officials and the Office must jointly prepare proposals regarding the State Bureau of Investigation.

Fifth, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Pavlo Palisa, who himself commanded combat units, will, in the coming days, communicate with our combat brigades to determine which decisions can strengthen Ukraine’s positions. There will also be changes in military training. Training must learn the lessons of this war directly from the front, and everyone who trains Ukrainian warriors must understand firsthand what war truly is.

I have also decided to change the working format of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. I have proposed to Mykhailo Fedorov that he become the new Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Mykhailo is deeply involved in the issues related to the Drone Line and works very effectively on digitalizing public services and processes. Together with all our military, the army command, national weapons producers, and Ukraine’s partners, we must implement defense-sector changes that will be of help. Everything rests on the resilience of Ukrainians. And our resilience must have the necessary weapons, the necessary energy, the necessary finances, the necessary politics, and the necessary support of institutions. Denys Shmyhal remains part of our team – Ukraine’s team – and I am grateful to him for his systematic work for our state. Last year, the Ministry of Defense delivered solid results; in particular, by December, the task on producing interceptor drones had been fulfilled, with production exceeding 1,000 units per day. We are working to increase the number of trained crews. There were plenty of other tasks like this as well. Mykhailo Fedorov will be able to implement all of this and add technological efficiency. I have proposed that Denys Shmyhal lead another direction in government work – equally important for our resilience.

Tomorrow, we will continue the changes. Further decisions will follow.

And tomorrow, there will also be a meeting at the level of National Security Advisors – Europe plus the United States. Thank you to everyone who is helping!

Glory to Ukraine!

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 1 January 2026.

Dear Ukrainians!

Once again, Happy New Year to everyone. We are starting this year with diplomacy, and we are continuing dialogue with our partners. This is the most important thing – that support for us, for Ukraine, is in place and sufficient. Everything rests on this – above all, our warriors on the frontline, all our defenders, our industry, our weapons production, everyone who helps us, all our international support. We must search for air defense every single day. Ukraine needs air defense missiles every day. The same goes for funding for weapons, for drones for our army, for UGVs, for equipment – for everything that is necessary. Everything is being pursued as actively as possible. And likewise – for the sake of keeping negotiations moving – in all aspects, on every track.

Today, Rustem Umerov is holding meetings in Türkiye – with the Foreign Minister of Türkiye and, next, with the intelligence services. We are working very hard to resume prisoner exchanges in the new year – this is precisely the key topic in our talks with Türkiye. We need this facilitation to bring our Ukrainians home from Russian captivity. Last year, the swaps were active, but toward the end of the year they slowed down, unfortunately. Now they must be resumed. Rustem is also in contact with the American team and our partners in Europe every single day – yesterday and today. We are preparing formats and important meetings. On January 3, a meeting of national security advisors will take place in Ukraine. This is the first such meeting in Ukraine focused on peace. European representatives will attend, and we expect the American team to join online. Fifteen countries have confirmed their participation, along with representatives of European institutions and NATO. Next, on January 5, there will be a meeting of the military – chiefs of general staff. The main issue is security guarantees for Ukraine. Politically, almost everything is ready, and it is important to work through every detail of how the guarantees will function in the air, on land, and at sea – if we succeed in ending the war. And this is the key goal for all normal people. On January 6, a meeting at the leaders’ level will take place – European leaders and the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing. We are preparing now to ensure that the meeting is productive, that support increases, and that there is greater political confidence both in the security guarantees and in the peace agreement. I thank everyone who is helping us.

I have just spoken with the President of Cyprus – my first call of the year. As of January 1, Cyprus has assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and it is important for us that Ukraine be among the priorities of the Cypriot presidency for the next six months. Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is also a security guarantee, and we are working toward membership as well. I informed him about our conversation with the United States and about the overall diplomatic situation. I thank Cyprus for its support. Thank you, Mr. President, Nikos, for all the important words about Ukrainians, about Ukraine, and about our strength.

Of course, I thank everyone who, since the night and from the early morning today, has been working on recovery after Russian strikes. Even on New Year’s night, the Russians could not help themselves. That’s who they are. But we are defending ourselves and restoring what was damaged. That’s who Ukrainians are. And tomorrow will be an important day of domestic policy for Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

The statement made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 25 December 2025.

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today was also an active day for us, for our diplomacy – there were important conversations. Patriarch Bartholomew – I am grateful for the greetings extended to Ukraine and to all Ukrainians on the occasion of Christmas, as well as for the clear support of genuine values – the values of peace and respect for human life, and for the protection of life.

Today, we also spoke for nearly an hour with envoys of the U.S. President – Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. It was a truly good conversation: we went into many details; there are good ideas, which we discussed. We have some new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and, of course, timing on how to bring a real peace closer. Later today, Rustem Umerov will continue discussions with the American team, and it is important if we succeed in organizing what we discussed today. Some documents are already prepared, as I see it, they are nearly ready, and some documents are fully prepared. Of course, there is still work to be done on sensitive issues. But together with the American team, we understand how to put all of this in place. The weeks ahead may also be intensive. Thank you, America! And I thank everyone who continues to put pressure on Russia so that they fully understand that prolonging the war will have severe consequences for them – for Russia. I also spoke today with the Prime Minister of Norway – I am grateful to Jonas for his unwavering support. I informed him about the current state of our discussions with the United States, and together with Jonas we also discussed possible next joint steps. I will also be speaking with other European leaders to ensure that we are all moving at the same pace and toward one shared goal. Real security, real recovery, and real peace – this is what must be achieved.

I received a report today from Pavlo Palisa on issues that expand our capabilities at the front. I also signed decrees today awarding our warriors with state honors. And everyone who is now defending our positions – all those currently on combat missions, at combat posts, all those providing Ukraine with protection against Russian assaults and Russian strikes – all of you, our warriors, are strengthening our diplomatic positions. Thank you! Thank you to everyone who is fighting for Ukraine as for themselves! Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Glory to Ukraine!

The statement made by Vladimir Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 27 November 2025.

I wish you health!

Briefly about today. We are using this day, just as every day now, for consultations with partners. Every single day, we exchange information – all the data needed to determine the optimal steps. The Russian war continues, and we all hear that Russia scorns the efforts of key global powers to truly end the war – with a lasting peace. But whether there will be peace does not depend on Russia’s threats or on whatever ultimatums it voices. It depends on the conditions the world ensures so that this aggression cannot be continued, and on what we ourselves do to defend our state, our people, and our Ukrainian national rights. 

Right now, our defense of positions, our resistance on the frontline, and our joint work with partners to secure better diplomatic standing are equally important. And everything is aligned toward this work. 

Already this week – at the end of the week – our team, together with American representatives, will continue to translate the points we secured in Geneva into a form that puts us on the path to peace and security guarantees. There will be a meeting of delegations. The Ukrainian delegation will be well-prepared and focused on substantive work. We remain in close contact with the American side and our European friends. I am also briefing our partners in other parts of the world, and I am grateful to them for their support of our sovereignty and our state. In the meantime, we are doing everything possible to ensure that Ukraine has sufficient defense support.

It is obvious to everyone in the world that Russia not only has the largest internationally recognized territory, but also the largest territory that is undeveloped and neglected. All of Russia exists for the sake of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and if everything else were to collapse, no one there would even notice. So when they want more kilometers of Ukrainian land, it is not about territory for them at all. It is about preserving their power forever – about subjugating a neighboring nation. And we have clearly seen that nothing can be expected from Russia except destruction. And we are not the only ones who have seen it – everyone in Europe has, and every one of Russia’s neighbors, from Finland to Kazakhstan and Japan. Accordingly, everyone understands what must be done for defense, and it is the Ukrainian defense of positions that is the key task for us and for all our partners. The stronger we are in our defense on the frontline, the more we can achieve in diplomacy, and the more actively the world will help us press Russia to end its war.

Today, an important meeting of the sanctions coordinators of European states took place. And if Putin does not want to stop, the sanctions will not stop. The priorities are clear – to hit Russian oil, Russia’s technological base, its finances, and its assets that serve the Russian war machine. The world will help us.

I thank everyone who is pressuring the aggressor now, and everyone who is defending Ukraine from pressure. We value this deeply, and we see every such effort. Next week, there will be important negotiations not only for our delegation, but also for me personally, and we are laying solid groundwork for those talks. Ukraine will stand firm. It always will. Thank you to everyone who helps us! Thank you to everyone who defends Ukraine as if defending themselves.

Glory to Ukraine!