(Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned late on Tuesday that nobody would give peace to his nation as a present, however he believed the US would stand alongside Kyiv because it fights to cease Russia’s 34-month invasion.
Zelenskiy, in a slick 21-minute New 12 months video greeting to his compatriots, additionally mentioned solely a robust Ukraine might safe peace and earn worldwide respect.
“We know that peace will not be given to us as a gift, but we will do everything to stop Russia and end the war, something each of us desires,” Zelenskiy mentioned in opposition to a backdrop of the blue-and-yellow nationwide flag, battlefield scenes and photos of youngsters.
He recalled conversations with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and “everyone who supports us in the United States”.
“I have no doubt that the new American president wants and will be able to bring peace and end (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggression,” Zelenskiy mentioned.
“He understands that the former is impossible without the latter. Because this is not a street brawl where the two sides need to be pacified. This is a full-scale aggression by a deranged state against a civilised one. And I believe that, together with the United States, we are capable of the strength to force Russia into a just peace.”
Russia, Zelenskiy mentioned, was to not be trusted both in battle or in talks.
“If today Russia shakes your hand, it doesn’t mean that tomorrow the same hand will not start killing you,” he mentioned. “Russians fear those who are free. What they don’t understand. They fear freedom.”
Biden’s administration has offered by far essentially the most army assist for Ukraine amongst Western nations for the reason that February 2022 full-scale invasion.
Ukraine has been cautious of Trump’s criticism of help to Kyiv and his pledge, in the course of the U.S. election marketing campaign, to carry a fast finish to the warfare, however Zelenskiy has expressed optimism about guaranteeing persevering with U.S. assist.
Ukraine has endured a troublesome 12 months, with Russian forces taking village after village in a faster advance on the jap entrance than for the reason that starting of the invasion.
In latest months, Zelenskiy has mentioned that any settlement to the battle is based on receiving safety ensures from Western nations and Kyiv securing an invite to hitch the NATO alliance, a notion Russia rejects out of hand.
In his greeting, Zelenskiy mentioned that previously 12 months, Ukraine had launched an incursion into southern Russia’s Kursk area, staged long-range drone strikes in opposition to distant Russian targets and developed domestically produced drones and different weapons.
“Every day in the coming year, I and all of us must fight so that Ukraine can be strong enough,” he mentioned. “Only such a Ukraine is respected and heard – both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”
