Category: Speeches

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!