As Ukraine welcomes 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a poignant New Year’s address, calling for resilience and determination in the face of a grueling war with Russia that has dragged on for nearly three years. The Ukrainian leader acknowledged the hardships of the past year while urging his country to fight for a stronger future.
“May 2025 be our year,” Zelensky declared as the clock struck midnight in Kyiv. “We know that peace will not be given to us as a gift, but we will do everything to stop Russia and end the war.”
A Year of Setbacks
Ukraine endured significant losses in 2024, ceding numerous small villages to Russian forces and losing seven times more territory than in 2023, according to an AFP analysis. The prospect of reduced U.S. military support looms large as Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, having promised to end the conflict within “24 hours.” Concerns are mounting that peace under a Trump administration could involve Ukraine conceding all currently occupied territories to Russia.
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration has attempted to bolster Ukraine’s defenses, unveiling nearly $6 billion in military and budget aid just weeks before leaving office. However, the uncertainty of continued support from the United States weighs heavily on Kyiv’s strategy moving forward.
A Call to Fight On
In his address, Zelensky emphasized the importance of strength—both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. “Every day in the coming year, I, and all of us, must fight for a Ukraine that is strong enough,” he said. “Because only such a Ukraine is respected and heard.”
Zelensky also expressed cautious optimism about the incoming Trump administration. “I have no doubt that the new American President is willing and capable of achieving peace and ending Putin’s aggression,” he stated.
Russia’s Perspective
On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin used his New Year’s address to praise the “courage and bravery” of Russian soldiers, calling them “true heroes.” Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov reiterated the Kremlin’s narrative of fighting “Nazism,” the pretext under which Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.
Russia continues its relentless overnight aerial attacks targeting Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure, while Ukraine has escalated counterattacks within Russian territory, including a drone strike that caused a fire at a Russian oil depot earlier this week.
Voices from Kyiv
As Ukrainians braced for another year of conflict, their hopes for peace resonated in the capital. “I want peace to finally be obtained for Ukraine, for people to stop dying,” said Kateryna Chemeryz, a teacher. “It seems to me that everyone has one wish, one dream: that Ukraine will win, and all our territories are regained.”
Civil servant Tetiana shared a similar sentiment but stressed Ukraine’s independence in determining its fate. “We must chart our own course, without Trump or anyone else,” she said.
A Road to Peace in 2025?
As Ukraine looks ahead to 2025, Zelensky has appealed to Western allies to remain steadfast in their support. The path to peace remains uncertain, with the stakes higher than ever. While hopes for an end to the war persist, the reality of achieving lasting peace will require unwavering resolve, robust international backing, and significant sacrifices.
For now, Ukraine’s battle continues—on the frontlines, in diplomatic corridors, and in the hearts of its people.
