Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that 2025 will be decisive in determining the outcome of the war, in an address to parliament marking the 1,000th day of the Russian invasion.
Zelensky, presenting a "resilience plan" for Ukraine at this critical juncture in the conflict, spoke after Washington granted Kyiv long-awaited approval to launch U.S. missiles into Russian territory.
"In the decisive moments—which are approaching next year—we must not allow anyone in the world to doubt the resilience of our entire state. At this stage, it will be decided who will prevail," Zelensky told Ukrainian lawmakers.
"This battle is not only about Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, or any other city, town, or village; it is not just about this or that region of ours. This battle is about all of Ukraine, about the entirety of Europe, about order or chaos for the whole world," he emphasized.
Moscow has significantly ramped up aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities ahead of winter and has received over 10,000 combat troops from North Korea to bolster its efforts.
On the diplomatic front, discussions of a potential peace deal to end the fighting are increasing following Donald Trump's election in the United States.
Amid uncertainty regarding American aid, Zelensky asserted that Kyiv should not allow anyone else to determine the country's future.
"This is a war that decides the fate of the entire nation. No one should or can decide it for us," he declared.
Statements from Trump suggesting he aims for a quick deal to end the war have raised concerns that Washington may pressure Kyiv into accepting territorial concessions.
Zelensky indicated that Ukraine may have to wait for the end of Vladimir Putin's rule in Russia to reclaim its fully internationally recognized territory.
"Perhaps Ukraine will have to outlast someone in Moscow to achieve all its goals... Perhaps to restore the full integrity of the state," Zelensky concluded in his address to parliament.
(with AFP)
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