Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine's NATO allies feel guilty for not granting Ukraine membership in the Alliance, which made the russian invasion possible. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that NATO's inaction gave putin a reason to think that the West was not serious about Ukraine.
The total value of U. S. arms exports in 2023 reached a record $238 billion, up 16% from 2022. Of this amount, $80.9 billion was foreign military sales, up 55.9%, and $157.5 billion was direct commercial sales, up 2.5%. The growth is explained by the fact that countries are replenishing stocks sent to Ukraine and preparing for large-scale conflicts.
EU ambassadors have agreed to use the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine. This was reported by Belgium, which holds the presidency of the EU Council.
Zelenskyy said that the key task for 2023 for Ukraine is to maintain an advantage over Russia in drone operations. According to him, Ukraine must develop better drones to save soldiers' lives and stay ahead of Russian troops.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Valeriy Zaluzhnyy from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is noted that the "chair" of the Kyrylo Budanov, who has previously headed the Main Directorate of Ukrainian Intelligence, will now take over the post of Commander-in-Chief.
In December 2023 and January 2024, the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine implemented 18 more NATO standards, bringing the total number to 315. Another 50 standards are planned to be implemented in 2024.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis preparations for the second Ukraine-Balkans summit, invited Greece to organize the Global Peace Summit, and informed him of Ukraine's defense needs, particularly in air defense and artillery. They also discussed unblocking €50 billion in EU aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto paid tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
On Kruty Heroes Remembrance Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of those who died in the struggle for Ukraine's independence. He laid flowers at the memorial signs, emphasizing that all the heroes who sacrificed themselves for the sake of Ukraine's freedom have forever gone down in the nation's history.
According to British intelligence, from February 2022 to January 2023, Russia probably lost about 2,600 main battle tanks and 4,900 other armored vehicles in Ukraine. In 2023, Russia lost about 40% fewer armored vehicles than in 2022, likely due to more defensive positioning and the increasingly positional nature of the war.
Maryna Bezrukova has been appointed Director of the Defense Procurement Agency of Ukraine. This is the first step in reforming the agency in line with NATO standards and preventing corruption in defense procurement.
Ukraine and Germany have made progress in discussions on a security guarantee agreement. President Zelenskyy believes that a "powerful agreement" will be signed soon.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have stated that infantrymen are currently the most sought-after military specialists.
President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has an army of one million. He noted that between 6.5 and 7.5 million Ukrainians have left the country since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
President Zelensky said that it was very wrong for representatives of military registration and enlistment offices to walk the streets looking for boys.
President Zelenskyy believes that a delay in US assistance to Ukraine could weaken European unity and NATO, embolden Putin, and undermine the policy of sanctions against Russian aggression.
President Zelenskyy said in an interview that it is possible to stop Russia, we must believe in the people, Ukraine, partners and peace, because any war ends. He believes that Russia can be stopped both geopolitically and financially
Zelenskiy announced new defense assistance agreements with partners to strengthen the Ukrainian army. He said Ukraine would receive more weapons, ammunition, and equipment from defense coalitions every week.
The income of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his family decreased from UAH 10. 8 million in 2021 to UAH 3.7 million in 2022.
Ukraine and its Western partners have made progress in working on a decision to confiscate frozen russian assets. These assets can be used to finance Ukraine's defense against russian aggression. Further EU sanctions against russia are also being prepared.
The department reminded that the pre-war population of Vesele was 102 people, and Krokhmalne was 45. Experts explained that this is a minor advance for russia.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, President Zelenskyy emphasized that every new generation should know the truth about this tragedy, in which six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis. He said it was important to preserve the stories of those who helped save lives during this dark time.
Zelenskyy awarded 54 Ukrainian soldiers with state awards, 32 of them posthumously. The awards ranged from the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky to the Medal for Saved Life.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions on a number of individuals and legal entities. The sanctions list includes former Ukrainian officials, Russian politicians and organizations accused of war crimes.