After nearly three years of war, the Ukrainian leader is pinning his hopes on the new year.
We know that peace will not be given to us as a gift, he says a few minutes before midnight, and adds that Ukraine will do everything to stop Russia.
According to an analysis by the news agency AFP, Ukraine has lost seven times more territory to Russia in 2024 than in 2023. Donald Trump's impending inauguration as US President has also raised concerns about reduced military support from the US.
Zelenskyj himself, however, strikes a positive tone regarding Trump's return to the White House.
I do not doubt that the new US President is willing and capable of achieving peace and ending Putin's aggression, he says.
Every day in the coming year, I and we all must fight for a Ukraine that is strong enough. For only such a Ukraine will be respected and heard, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
Donald Trump has previously promised to put an end to the war "within 24 hours" of taking office as President.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin did not explicitly mention the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in his New Year's speech. He instead praised the country's soldiers, a recurring theme since the invasion.
