Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The Russian Federation officially appealed to the US State Department with a demand to stop pursuing the oil tanker Bella 1, which the American authorities consider a stateless vessel. The tanker, en route from Iran to Venezuela, is currently trying to evade the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean.
President Zelenskyy announced a meeting of the chiefs of general staffs on January 5 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. On January 3, national security advisors will meet, and on January 6, European leaders will meet.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the next day will be important for the country's domestic policy. He did not specify details, but earlier announced personnel changes, particularly regarding the head of the President's Office and heads of regional administrations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to resume prisoner exchanges. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov is holding meetings in Turkey to facilitate this process.
President Zelenskyy held a conversation with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides regarding the priorities of Cyprus's presidency of the EU Council, which begins on January 1, 2026. Ukraine expects continued support and emphasizes the importance of EU membership as a guarantee of security.
Russia stated that it had decrypted a file from a Ukrainian drone, which, it claims, indicates that the target was the residence of the Russian dictator. These materials will be handed over to the American side through established channels.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored 53 Ukrainian men and women from various regions of the country with state awards. Among the awardees are people who rescued the wounded, restored power plants, performed surgeries, and engaged in volunteering.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov in Ankara. The meeting took place on the eve of the talks between national security advisers of the "coalition of the willing" countries on January 3.
The National Resistance Center published New Year greetings from Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. Residents of the captured cities conveyed words of support and holiday wishes, demonstrating their loyalty to Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy reacted to Russia's massive drone attack on at least 7 regions on New Year's Eve. He emphasized the need for partners to supply air defense systems without delay.
The CIA assessed that Ukraine did not attack Putin's residence during a recent drone attack, refuting the Russian leader's claims. CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed Trump on the assessment.
Donald and Melania Trump hosted a New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, where the president held a charity auction. A painting of Jesus was sold for $2.75 million.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia never ends wars of its own free will, only under external pressure. He emphasized that trusting the Kremlin's word is a death sentence for international security.
In his New Year's address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's belief in peace and its struggle for it. He wished for the defenders to return home and emphasized the importance of unity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia will have to end the war as soon as they find one more reason for peace than to fight. He emphasized that today everyone adds: "To be one step ahead, one hour faster, one decision braver."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he would only sign a strong agreement on security guarantees, rejecting the Budapest Memorandum and the Minsk agreements. He emphasized that the agreement must be ratified by partners to ensure lasting peace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks peace, but not at the cost of its own statehood. He emphasized that only pressure can force Russia to end the war, which has been ongoing for 1407 days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the peace agreement is 90% ready, and the remaining 10% will determine the fate of peace, Ukraine, and Europe. He emphasized that these 10% are necessary to save millions of lives and maintain unity.
President Zelenskyy has appointed Oleksiy Semeniuk as the head of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission. This happened after the dismissal of Ruslan Magomedov, who had headed the commission since 2021.
The US held a productive discussion with national security advisors from the UK, France, Germany, and Ukraine. The next steps in the peace process and security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed.
Trump reposted a NY Post article claiming that Russia is the only obstacle to ending the war. The material states that Putin systematically opposes Trump's policies, and his statements are a manipulation to disrupt peace initiatives.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov announced preparations for a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" on January 3. Representatives from over 10 countries, NATO, the European Commission, and the European Council will take part, and American partners will join online.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made 25 working trips across Ukraine in a year, focusing on the security situation, especially in frontline regions. He visited Kyiv, Donetsk, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Sumy, Odesa, and other regions.
The State Emergency Service summarized its work for 2025, having made almost half a million deployments. Rescuers extinguished 92,892 fires and saved 7,757 people.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov reported to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the results of telephone conversations with American and European partners. Positions were coordinated and further meetings were planned for January, including a meeting on January 3 with the participation of more than 10 countries and international organizations.
In 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made about 60 foreign visits and hosted almost 100 heads of foreign states. He also held 20 international video calls and over 230 phone conversations, working on a 20-point peace plan and security guarantees.
The Center emphasizes that Russia needed more than two days to fabricate this 'evidence'. The photographs of metal fragments laid on the snow, published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, do not prove anything by themselves.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the leaders of these countries would express deep concern about Russia's real attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine and solidarity with Ukraine, against which Russia has been waging an unjustified and unprovoked aggression for the fourth year.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted that the concern about the fabricated attack on Putin's palace is particularly surprising against the background of the absence of reactions from the respective countries to regular and real Russian strikes on civilians in Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Ruslan Mahomedov from the post of head of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission. He had headed the commission since February 2021, according to a presidential decree.