“It is pride to be the President of such a nation”: Volodymyr Zelenskyi’s New Year’s address

The President delivered a New Year’s greeting / photo frame from the videoUkraine is making every effort to achieve peace, but not at any price. That is why the negotiations are going hard. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in his New Year’s address to the Ukrainian nation.

About peace negotiations and security guaranteesIn his speech, the president noted that he would like to say that the long-awaited peace will come in a few minutes, but, unfortunately, there is no such possibility yet.

“But with a clear conscience, I, we can all say that Ukraine is definitely doing everything for peace. And continues to do so,” the president noted.

According to Zelenskyi, the peace agreement is “90% ready”, but it is the remaining 10% that “will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe”.

“What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any price? No. We want the end of the war, but not the end of Ukraine. Are we tired? Very. Does this mean that we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is very mistaken. And he obviously has not understood who Ukrainians are for all these years,” said the Ukrainian leader.

Zelensky emphasized that Russia can quickly end the war, but does not want to do so. Therefore, the pressure of the world community is needed.

“Russia does not end its wars by itself. There has never been a war in history that they would have ended of their own accord. Only pressure from others, only coercion from others, which they themselves call a “gesture of goodwill”. This has been the case in all the years when Russia has been at war with someone, that is, in all the years of its existence,” the president noted.

As the Ukrainian leader noted, the Russians lie that the war will end as soon as Donbas is handed over to them, but this lie is often believed in the world.

“The truth is still too often avoided, it is called diplomacy, although it is just a lie in costumes. And that is why there is pressure on Ukraine, yes,” he said.

Zelensky added that Ukraine is forced to prove “long-evident truths.” In his opinion, the fact that Russia still continues to believe its word is “simply a verdict on joint international security.”

The President of Ukraine emphasized that we need strong security guarantees that will be ratified by the parliaments of European countries and the USA.

“Ukraine will not be satisfied with Budapest’s paper. Ukraine does not need Minsk’s jeweled trap. Signatures under weak agreements only fuel the war. My signature will stand under a strong agreement. And this is what every meeting, every call, every decision is about now,” he explained.

Speaking about the possibility of the end of the war, Zelensky noted that “in the 26th year it is possible.”

“Sanctions bite Russia, but only a dead grip will work. Russian oil is already cheaper, but their tankers must stop completely in order to stop the war. Russian factories are already slowing down, but they must stop so that the occupier does not move. And “tomahawks” in Ukrainian hands would prove only one thing: peace has no alternative,” he said.

About relations with the USAZelensky admitted that it was “not at all easy” for him to achieve a “change of degree” in relations with the new leadership of the United States. And although everything started with “sharp corners” in the Oval Office at the end of February, the meeting in Mar-a-Lago a few days ago took place in a completely different atmosphere.

“Ukraine defended its right to vote, and that’s why we are respected, Ukraine is respected. And the most obvious proof of this is the seven meetings I had with the President of America this year,” the Ukrainian leader said.

Zelenskyi also drew attention to the fact that the US president always mentions Ukraine and its heroic struggle in almost every speech. In the same way, the mention of Ukrainians has become mandatory for other world leaders.

“And this happiness – such happiness to hear, this is pride – to be the President of such a people. And such a state. Which has withstood and reaches any enemy military facility and oil refinery, returns the war to Russia, teaches NATO troops what modern drones are. Which gives an asymmetrical slap to Russia and forces Putin to lie that he took Kupyansk three times and shot down drones near his residence with his own hands,” Zelensky said.

About relations with European countriesAccording to Zelenskyi, not everyone in Europe has yet realized and understood the need for tough opposition to Russia.

“I do not want such an understanding to come to everyone in Europe one day at four in the morning – as it happened in Ukraine. I do not want such an understanding to be brought to all Europeans by machinery with the letter “Z” on their streets,” he said.

The President expressed his conviction that today Ukraine is the “only shield” that separates a comfortable European life from the “Russian world”. According to Zelenskyi, most European leaders still understand the importance of supporting Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader boasted of regular phone conversations with European leaders who are aware of the importance of a just peace and do not want “disappointed people in Ukraine to burn portraits of European and American leaders in the squares.”

Recalling the EU’s recent decision to provide Kiev with a reparation loan of $100 billion, Zelensky called it something “much bigger” than just aid for two years.

“It’s the stability of our army, it’s peace for our people, it’s money, salaries, it’s pensions. Yes, it’s life. And it’s justice that in the end Russia pays for it,” he said.

About the New YearIn his New Year’s address, President Zelensky expressed his belief that Ukrainians will raise an important toast at the festive table.

“For our soldiers who are now at ground zero. For everyone who gave their lives for Ukraine. For everyone who saves and teaches us every day. For everyone who is always, and even on this night, on duty. Firemen, doctors, energy workers. For ours who returned from captivity and who will meet this New Year at home. For everyone we are waiting for. For everyone who helps us. For this war to end. For peace to come. For that, so that the enemy does not succeed,” he said.

As Zelensky noted, this year’s weather for the winter holidays was a pleasant and rather symbolic gift for Ukrainians.

“What we haven’t seen for a very long time is snow on New Year’s. And all the children, to be honest, and adults too, were waiting for it. And it gives a strong feeling: if we want something very, very much, sooner or later it will happen. Of course, most of all right now we want peace. But, unlike New Year’s snow, it will not just fall from the sky like a miracle. But we believe in peace, and we fight for it, and we work for it. With Happy New Year, dear people! Glory to Ukraine!” – said the president.

Previous statements of ZelenskyiAs UNIAN wrote, the day before President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen air defense, so during a conversation with US President Donald Trump, he separately emphasized the need for NASAMS and PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot systems.

According to him, Trump promised help, and Ukraine has already submitted calculations of the required volumes. At the same time, Zelenskyi emphasized the readiness to purchase weapons through the PURL program and emphasized that despite the priority of diplomacy, in the conditions of ongoing Russian strikes, the rapid strengthening of air defense remains critically important.

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