Zelenskiy lays out a plan of ‘resilience’ as Ukraine marks 1,000 days since the Reuters attack.
KYIV (Reuters) – President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday that the war had reached its peak, as he urged citizens to remain “tough” and suggested plans for a major arms production boost.
In an hour-long speech to mark the 1,000-day anniversary of Russia’s total invasion, he said Ukraine would not trade its sovereignty or give up its right to its territories, and ruled out holding new elections until peace is achieved.
“At this stage of the war, it is decided who will win – whether we are above the enemy, or the enemy is above us Ukrainians … and Europeans, and everyone in the world who wants to live freely and not be under a dictator.”
Zelenskiy laid out what he called the country’s “firmness plan” as a way to prevent the “conquest plan” he laid out for Western allies earlier this fall, and said it was necessary to force Russia to negotiate an end to the war. good faith.
Although he said the full details of the plan will be revealed later in the year, it includes measures to stabilize the front line, support military establishment and weapons production and ways to strengthen national unity and cultural identity.
“Unity is the first point of the Internal Sustainability Plan,” he said.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would produce at least 30,000 long-range drones next year, a weapon system used by Kyiv to narrow the gap in strike capabilities with Russia and to fire artillery inside its much larger, eastern neighbor.
Ukraine has sought to boost military industrial production since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022, and Zelenskiy said 40 foreign arms manufacturers are already working in Ukraine’s arms production sector.
Ukraine also aims to produce at least 3,000 cruise missiles and missile-drones, he said, without giving a timeline.
