Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a rallying cry during the end-of-year speech to his country.
During the 20-minute address, the political leader vowed to give Russians a taste of the Ukrainian “wrath”, adding his country has been tempered by the adversities and cruelty experienced in the wake of the illegal invasion ordered by Vladimir Putin in February 2022.
He said: “The major result of the year, its main achievement: Ukraine has become stronger. Ukrainians have become stronger.”
The message, which also featured images of cities enduring Russian fire as well as high-profile political meetings, also included: “When, at the beginning of 2023 … we surmounted, without exaggeration, the most difficult winter in history.
“When we proved that Ukrainians are tougher than cold and darkness. Stronger than power outages and blackout threats. Ukrainians are stronger than any blockades and vetoes, disbelief or scepticism.”
Mr Zelensky didn’t mention Ukraine’s struggles in securing much-needed humanitarian and military aid from the European Union and the US.
He also didn’t mention the summer counter-offensive, which the president himself had previously admitted had not “achieved the desired results” – although Ukrainian soldiers had managed to push through heavily mined and defended occupied areas and make some territorial gains.
Rather, in his New Year’s Eve address, Mr Zelensky focused on the success recorded by Ukraine in the Black Sea, where Kyiv managed to contain the powerful Black Sea Fleet and hit some of its vessels and headquarters in Sevastopol.
Looking at the new year, Mr Zelensky also promised Ukraine would “definitely see” its pilots flying the F-16s pledged by allies including the Netherlands.
Finally, boasting about domestic weapons and drone production, he said: “Next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production.”
The conflict in Ukraine will enter its third calendar year next month. 2024 will bring upon the war-torn nation new challenges, including the US presidential election which could see the return to the White House of Donald Trump, who has already pledged to end aid to Kyiv.
Putin, who is certain to be re-elected in March, also addressed his country on New Year’s Eve.
But, unlike Mr Zelensky, he made no clear reference to the war – or special military operation, as the invasion of Ukraine is known in Russia.
The Russian president said: “To everyone who is at a combat post, at the forefront of the fight for truth and justice: You are our heroes, our hearts are with you. We are proud of you, we admire your courage.”
Most notably, Putin also failed to speak of the mutiny launched by the Wagner Group in June, and of war spilling into Russia as shellings continue to hit border regions.
