In his New Year’s speech, Ukrainian President Zelensky called on Ukrainians to take decisive action. A “better tomorrow” doesn’t come by itself, he said. He warned Russia about the power of “domestic” weapons.
At the turn of the year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called on his compatriots to shape the new year according to their own ideas and not to lose sight of the future of their homeland. “We Ukrainians know better than anyone that a better tomorrow does not come by itself, because we defend each of our tomorrows with our own hands,” he said on Sunday evening in a video address in which his wife Olena also appeared at his side. “That’s why our new year will be exactly how we want it and how we will design it.”
“You are all a year-round miracle”
Zelensky pointed out that a new year is also associated with active action – he addressed people directly: “Not only the New Year’s miracle, but also the year-round miracle are all of you: determined, responsible, caring and efficient.” At the same time, he reminded Ukrainians that the country continues to be attacked by Russia and wished them strength and confidence. “Life and strength to the people who defend a free and secure future – not just their own, but that of the entire world.”
Warning to Moscow about drones and F-16 jets
Zelensky made a threat towards Russia. He warned Moscow about the power of “domestic” weapons production. Ukraine will have “at least a million” additional drones in its arsenal in 2024, Zelensky said. There are also F-16 fighter jets supplied by Western partners. “Our pilots have already mastered the F-16 fighter jets and we will definitely see them in our skies,” said Zelensky, whose televised address was accompanied by images of Ukrainian artillery and fighter jets. Moscow’s forces would see “what our true anger looks like,” he assured.
Ukraine will enter its third year of war in 2024. Despite having Western weapons worth billions of dollars, Kiev failed to make a significant breakthrough against Russian troops in the counteroffensive launched in the summer.
On Friday, at least 39 people were killed in one of the most massive waves of Russian attacks since the start of the war. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin assured in his New Year’s speech that his country would “never” back down. Russia “hardly defended” its interests in 2023, he said. He did not explicitly mention Ukraine.