President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting on the occasion of Diplomatic Service Day, summarized the state of Ukraine’s foreign policy work during the war and outlined priorities for the future. The main topics of the press conference included international support for Ukraine, defense and weapons production, humanitarian issues, and strategic goals. Here are the key points.
Global Support and Sanctions Pressure
Zelensky began his speech by highlighting international support for Ukraine. He emphasized that Ukraine remains at the center of global attention. According to him, “there is no part of the world where people do not know about the heroism of Ukrainians.” Support comes even from countries that were previously friendly toward Russia.
The President also focused on the effectiveness of sanctions. The European Union has already implemented 19 sanction packages against Russia, including measures targeting banks and energy companies. These sanctions take away hundreds of billions of dollars from the Kremlin that could have been used to fund the war. Outside the EU, countries like Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have also shown consistent support.
Moreover, Zelensky reminded that the EU has allocated €90 billion in financial support to Ukraine over the next two years. He called this a historic achievement and an important security guarantee for the country.
Defense, Weapons Production, and Counter-Drone Efforts
The President paid special attention to defense and the development of domestic weapons production. He stressed that this is a matter of strategic importance both for the frontlines and for Ukraine’s foreign policy.
Zelensky stated that funding for Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex for the next year must be sufficient and stable. This includes drones, missiles, military equipment, electronic warfare systems, and robotic complexes. He emphasized that Ukraine needs to maintain a leading position in Europe in terms of the quality and quantity of modern weapons production.
At the same time, Zelensky pointed out the shortage of interceptor drones to counter Russian attacks. He explained that the problem is not funding but production capacity. Companies are unable to manufacture the required quantity quickly enough. The efficiency of these drones ranges from 60 to 90 percent, depending on the manufacturer.
There are not enough interceptors. And the issue is not about money, or not only. Money is always limited. There are technical problems—manufacturers cannot produce as many as we currently need, Zelensky said.
He also urged citizens to stay vigilant. He warned that the enemy might carry out mass attacks, especially during the Christmas holidays.
Negotiations and the “Peace Plan”
The President also discussed the diplomatic process to end the war. He said that negotiations continue with the involvement of the United States and Europe.
We have a 20-point plan. Probably, not everything is perfect, but the plan exists. There is a framework document on security guarantees between us, Europeans, and the United States. There is also a separate document between Ukraine and the US—bilateral security guarantees, Zelensky explained.
He added that Ukraine’s proposals have been largely coordinated with the US side, which is important for achieving results. However, Zelensky did not specify timelines for possible agreements. He also noted that some consultations are ongoing without Ukraine’s direct participation. Kyiv is waiting for feedback from partners, which is why it refrains from public discussions about the documents’ content.
This work is not only from our side. It is a joint effort with the United States. This means we are very close to a real outcome. The US asks that we do not go public until the formats of the documents are fully agreed, the President explained.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s main goal remains unchanged: to achieve a fair peace with clear security guarantees.
Our main goal is a fair peace and the end of the war. And this conversation is primarily with our strategic partner—the United States, Zelensky concluded.
Humanitarian Aspect and Civilian Protection
Zelensky also highlighted the importance of returning prisoners of war and children abducted by Russia. He said that Ukraine actively works on exchanges and supports relevant international initiatives.
The President stressed that Ukraine seeks a tribunal on Russian aggression and accountability for war crimes. According to him, the world must clearly condemn Russia’s actions.
We are fighting to bring back the children abducted by Russia. We work to return Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. It is important that the exchange process continues. There must be a tribunal for Russian aggression. There must be accountability for Russian war criminals. And the world must clearly condemn Russia for this war, Zelensky said.
Thus, the humanitarian aspect is closely linked to foreign policy and defense. It emphasizes that citizen safety, protection of rights, and accountability for the aggressor are integral parts of Ukraine’s strategy.
Strategic Goals and Comprehensive Approach
In conclusion, Zelensky outlined the state’s key tasks. These include strengthening defense capabilities, integrating with European structures, maintaining financial stability, and restoring justice through international legal mechanisms.
After signing these guarantees, we will see how strong our army and Ukraine can be, he added, referring to the importance of bilateral security guarantees with the United States.
The President emphasized that diplomacy, sanctions, defense measures, and humanitarian work are interconnected and aimed at strengthening the state. According to him, this logic underpins Ukraine’s current national strategy.
Conclusions
Zelensky’s press conference outlined the current state of key areas that determine Ukraine’s ability to continue resisting Russian aggression. The President publicly acknowledged existing limitations, including the shortage of interceptor drones and production bottlenecks in the defense sector. He also emphasized the role of international support and sanctions. Humanitarian issues and negotiations with partners on security guarantees received particular attention. Collectively, these statements show the challenges Ukraine faces as it enters the next stage of the war and the decisions that the government considers a priority.
