President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in an address to the nation on Tuesday evening that 2023 should be a decisive year from the point of view of Ukraine’s defense and security. He also explained what his country’s goals are for the near future.

“In general, this week will be important for Ukraine from a political point of view. We enter the next year and must maintain a common understanding of our national goals. Of course, we are talking about liberating our land from the enemy, rebuilding Ukraine, returning our people home, further bringing our state closer to key partners, opening new opportunities for Ukraine in the world – all these are missions for the near future. And not only for the state, but for each of us. In the near future, I will present my point of view regarding the fulfillment of these tasks in the annual Message to the Verkhovna Rada on the external and internal situation of Ukraine. I want this message to be not a report, but our conversation about the next year,” Volodymyr Zelenskyi said, News.ro reports.

Zelensky announced that a new meeting of the General Staff was held on Tuesday.

• “The topic is clear. First of all, Bakhmut, Kreminna and Donbas in general. Possible actions of the enemy in the eastern direction and our actions. He listened to the commanders, determined the steps for the near future. We continue to prepare the defense and security forces of Ukraine for next year. This should be a crucial year. We understand the risks in the winter, we understand what we need to do in the spring and, as a result, we understand the performance of the entire defense and security sector.”
• “There was a separate discussion about the supply of ammunition and the repair of military equipment. By the way, I want to thank our specialists, all our partners, everyone involved in the relevant activity. We managed to establish a system not only for returning repaired equipment to the battlefield, but also for removing “trophy” equipment from the battlefield and putting it at the service of our country. This is a very important result of the year, everyone involved did a very good job.”

The Ukrainian leader also talked about his conversation with Georgia Maloney:

• “I spoke with the Prime Minister of Italy today. I thanked him for the support already given and for the new support. Ms. Maloney said that the issue of air defense of Ukraine is currently being discussed and we have coordinated our steps. I believe that the support of Italy will allow us to strengthen the defense of the Ukrainian sky. Of course, we also discussed our diplomatic plans for the coming months. And also about winter threats, which, I am sure, we will overcome.”

On Tuesday, Zelenskyi also held meetings regarding the banking system and investments in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

• “Today we had a meeting regarding the banking system and our cooperation with the IMF. We must provide even more opportunities for Ukrainians in the coming year and guarantee the strength of our banking and financial systems.”
• “I also spoke with the head of the largest investment fund in the world, BlackRock. We received another confirmation that the business of the developed world believes in our victory and is ready to invest in our reconstruction. Specialists of this company are already helping Ukraine to structure the Fund for the reconstruction of our state. And we are already preparing to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos. Ukraine’s position and prospects will be presented there,” he explained.

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