Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Monday called on the leaders of the G7 to support Ukraine in the coming year, while outlining three steps to ensure peace, CNN reports.

More military equipment

In his usual daily speech, Zelenskyi said the first step was a “new force” and called for an increase in military hardware from the G7.

“Russia still has an advantage in artillery and missiles, that’s a fact,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “Ukraine needs modern tanks – and I am asking you to give us this defense capability. It can be done right now.”

He also stated that Ukraine needs more “artillery and more long-range missiles,” adding that Ukraine needs “constant artillery and artillery support.”

“The more effective we are with such weapons, the shorter the Russian aggression will be,” he said.

Support of financial and energy stability

The second step, according to Zelenskyi, is to preserve the financial, energy and social stability of the leaders next year.

He also called on the G7 to commit to increasing gas aid to Ukraine.

“The terror against our power plants has forced us to use more gas than we expected. Therefore, we need additional support for this special winter,” Zelensky said.

“We are talking about the volume of about 2 billion cubic meters of gas, which needs to be purchased additionally,” he says.

New diplomacy

As a third and final step, Zelenskyi said Ukraine would like to offer a peaceful solution, starting with asking Russia to begin withdrawing troops by Christmas.

“I suggest that Russia take a concrete and significant step towards a diplomatic solution, which Moscow so regularly mentions,” he said. “Very soon we will have holidays that will be celebrated by billions of people. Christmas is according to the Gregorian calendar or New Year and Christmas is according to the Julian calendar,” said Zelensky.

“It’s time for normal people to think about peace, not aggression. I suggest that Russia at least try to prove that it is capable of renouncing aggression,” the President of Ukraine noted.

“If Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine, it will ensure a long-term cessation of hostilities,” he added.

On Monday, G7 leaders pledged “unwavering support and solidarity with Ukraine,” pledging to equip the country with military and air defense systems, condemning Russia’s ongoing “war of aggression.”

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