Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that 2025 will be a decisive year in determining the victor in the war with Russia.
Speaking to parliament on the 1,000th day of the invasion on Tuesday, he urged the nation to maintain its resilience as the conflict approaches a critical phase.
Zelensky stressed that the war goes beyond territorial disputes, framing it as a struggle for the future of Ukraine, Europe, and the global order.
He stressed the importance of convincing the world of Ukraine’s determination to prevail, warning against external influence over the country’s destiny.
“In the decisive moments — and they are coming next year — we must not allow anyone in the world to doubt the resilience of our entire state. At this stage, it is being decided who will prevail.
“This battle is not only about Pokrovsk, Kupiansk or any other city, town or village, not only about this or that region of ours.
“This battle is about the whole of Ukraine. It is about the whole of Europe, about order or chaos for the entire world,” Zelensky told Ukrainian lawmakers.
The address followed the United States’ decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian territory, a move Kyiv considers a potential game-changer in the war.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities and reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to bolster its military efforts.
Diplomatic discussions on a potential peace deal have gained momentum, especially after Donald Trump’s election as US president.
Trump has suggested he would push for a swift resolution, raising concerns in Kyiv about being pressured into territorial concessions.
Zelensky dismissed such possibilities, asserting that the war’s outcome must be decided solely by Ukraine.
“This is a war that determines the fate of the entire nation. No one should or can decide it for us,” he said.
He also hinted that achieving Ukraine’s goals might require waiting out Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, suggesting the struggle for the country’s full territorial integrity could be a long-term endeavour.