"We are not ready to give up our country": Zelensky spoke about the duration of the war and changes in mobilization (updated)

On Tuesday, December 19, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is giving a big press conference. The head of state will summarize the results of 2023 and share with journalists his plans for 2024.

According to media reports, the event will start at around 18.00. OBOZ.UA will follow the event online.

- Does Orban put pressure on the issue of ending the war?

- "I have never spoken to Orbán about a ceasefire or a dialogue with Putin. He may have raised this topic with friends or EU leaders abroad, there was something in his speech, but I don't know. It's strange to me, his policy is not very friendly to us. He knows that... We are neighboring countries, despite all these challenges, two years of full-scale war... We need to organize this meeting...."

- "Elections cannot be held in time of war"...

- "It is important to me that we fight corruption risks as much as possible."

- "The moment is right to imprison and beat for corruption. It's better to fight corruption together, not to divide people. And the relevant authorities will do their job."

- "War, victory, defeat, stagnation depend on many decisions, as well as risks, directions, but mostly on us. If we do not lose our resilience, we will end the war earlier."

"We are not ready to give up our country: from the first day to the last, it will be like that. If we do much more... I am sure we can bring this victory closer."

- On partners' help.

- "I am grateful for the new relations with the EU and European countries, which really respect us very much and are proud of our people. We have built special personal relationships with them. Long-term assistance will be a shoulder to lean on if there are risks. Our partners will not let us down."

- "Belgium will give 1.7 billion, Denmark - 4.2 billion, Korea - 2.3 billion, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands - hundreds of millions, Norway - 7.5 billion, France - 2 billion, Germany - 8 billion, Sweden more than half a billion, and there will be multibillion-dollar assistance from Japan."

- The issue of the lack of ammunition in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the decline in support from Western partners.

- "Russia has not achieved any results this year, in particular, access to the borders of the Ukrainian Donbas."

- "As for financial assistance. I am confident that the US will not betray us and that what we have agreed on will be fulfilled. As for the EU, we have achieved one victory, as for the 50 billion, we have achieved it, it is a matter of time. I am sure the decision will be made soon..."

- "As for the reduction of aid, if we are talking about shells and uncontrolled skies. It had an impact on the operation on the southern front... But this does not mean that we will not find a way out. We do not have some things".

- The President commented on the issue of mobilization in Ukraine.

- "First, this is still a question for our military. They asked for mobilization at the meeting of the Council of State, it is a sensitive issue. They asked about the defense of our state and potential counteroffensive actions. They proposed to mobilize an additional 450-500 thousand people. This is a very serious figure, and I said that I needed more arguments to support the direction. This is a matter of people, justice, defense capability and finances. I need specifics on what will happen to Ukraine's million-strong army," the head of state said.

- "What will happen to those guys who are there, we have rotation issues, we have vacation issues. There must be a comprehensive plan... They have started working on this plan. I haven't seen any demobilization there yet, although this is the number one issue... The main thing is that this process should be..."

- "If there are 400 thousand+, then who deserves the right to rest? This is a very important point. This is to be discussed at the meeting. They should prepare a comprehensive plan."

- "A few more Patriot SAMs, I won't say how many, will defend Ukraine this winter," the president said.

At 18.03, the President began his conversation with journalists by thanking the Ukrainian military, special services, partners and everyone who helps to protect the state.

As a reminder, the President's press conference can be viewed online via a national TV marathon. At the same time, the venue of the event is disclosed only to accredited media for security reasons.

The day before, the President's Office said that Zelensky's press conference would be devoted to the results of the outgoing year. The head of state is likely to talk about the key events of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The president is also expected to talk about mobilization.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Earlier, Zelensky said that in the coming days, Ukraine, together with the European Commission, would begin the process of assessing Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU legislation, which is called the screening process. The negotiations on our country's accession to the EU will start in the spring.

- The President of Ukraine also announced the launch of two new services in Diia. In particular, the exchange of a housing certificate and the purchase and sale of cars.

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