Zelensky's year in review: Key word is result

On December 19, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky answered questions from journalists from Ukrainian and foreign media for more than two hours on air. He was asked about his forecasts for the duration of the war with Russia, mobilization, his relationship with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and steps to attract support for Ukraine from the United States, the EU, Europe, and the world in countering Russian aggression.

The main points of the President's speech can be found in our previous article.

Meanwhile, we are asking experts what their overall impression of the final press conference was, what statements by Volodymyr Zelensky are worth paying attention to, and what else they would like to hear from him?

The key word that Zelensky repeatedly used at this press conference was result.

Volodymyr Fesenko, Chairman of the Board of the Center for Applied Political Studies "Penta", in a comment to Ukrinform, first of all emphasized that the idea of holding this press conference was correct.

"This is not a response to Putin's 'direct line'. This is a summary of the year. We have done this before, even before the Russian invasion. Moreover, at the end of the year, there were positive results that could be reported to the public. In addition, there were questions that needed to be answered by the President," says the political scientist.

According to him, the tone of the discussion of various problems, both external and internal, was optimal.

"On the one hand, there was confidence that we will survive and protect Ukraine. On the other hand, realism and frankness in assessing our internal and external situation. Existing problems are not concealed, they are discussed openly, critically, but also responsibly," the expert added.

The key word that was repeatedly heard from the President at this press conference was the result.

"Everyone needs to work for a specific result. And the activities of different people - government officials, politicians, and military commanders - should be evaluated by a specific result," reminds Mr. Fesenko.

Another important generalizing thesis that President Zelensky has voiced in various contexts is that state interests should be above personal interests and above the personal.

"In times of war, this is the main imperative, as it is about the survival and future of our country. And this should apply to everyone - MPs, mayors, high-ranking officials, military commanders, and ordinary citizens," the expert said.

What statements of the President are worth paying special attention to? Volodymyr Fesenko believes that there were many important ones.

"In my opinion, the most important topic was mobilization and its costs, both in direct (financial) and other senses (political, social, etc.). This is about our strategy for the next year, about a dramatic dilemma, the optimal answer to which must be found. And society needs to know about it. We need to find a balance of interests between military needs and our financial and economic capabilities," the political scientist said.

It was important to emphasize international issues, in particular, the main political achievement of Ukraine in 2023 - the decision of the European Union to start negotiations on our accession to the EU. This is not a gift, it is our political victory, the result of a lot of diplomatic and internal work.

"There are other results as well. The President, in particular, hinted at new Patriot systems. Let's remember what the situation was with the protection of our skies last year and what it is now. The progress is enormous, although there is still much to be done," says Mr. Fesenko. "In general, the topic of the country's defense capability was considered in a broad context. And President Zelensky was right to emphasize that everyone should work together to defend the country. He gave the right example of how it was done with fortifications in the Kharkiv region. The regional military administration, the mayor of Kharkiv, local businesses, and, of course, the military worked together. Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere, and some people want to shift the responsibility for helping the frontline to the state and volunteers alone."

At the press conference, the President covered almost all the controversial and topical issues with his answers

According to political scientist Oleh Posternak, it was a press conference of a man tired of war and personal responsibility to the state: "Many people hoped that the press conference was primarily meant to boost the morale of the nation. However, it also became a focused chronicle of another year of our war."

The expert continues that President Zelensky was trying to look as pragmatic as possible, hoping that society would understand his "non-answers" to some pressing questions in wartime. For example, regarding the change of government, the Lozovyi amendments, urban planning reform, etc.

The most emotional and sincere was the President's response to the "leveling" of relations with Poland. After all, the Polish border blockade makes relations between the two countries extremely unstable, to the benefit of Russian propaganda.

Oleh Posternak also believes that although Zelensky looked quite tactful and focused, he still covered almost all the controversial and topical issues of society and the near future with his answers.

"We can say that it was a conversation about returning to reality. In this spirit, we should understand the desire to fix the responsibility of the military for further mobilization, some cooling of the pathetic illusion of joining NATO," the expert says.

It was noticeable that the President was trying to radiate confidence in Western assistance and a strategic vision of the course of further hostilities, as the question of why there was no great victory this year was floating around the room.

"From some of Zelensky's comments, we can understand that the government has made certain conclusions about the information overheating of the counteroffensive this year, and is more realistically weighing the importance of building its own defense industry in the face of turbulent support for Ukraine. The President announced plans for the next year to produce one million drones, increase the production of ammunition, etc.", our source added. He emphasized: "It is surprising that journalists did not ask questions about the successful December summit of the European Council for Ukraine, which opens the way for negotiations. This is a significant foreign policy success of Ukraine and the President, which brings our European integration to a new, more responsible stage. This is actually a powerful breakthrough that has a civilizational symbolism."

Zelensky spoke against the backdrop of not just a map of Ukraine, but also the EU flag. Thus emphasizing one of the main achievements of the outgoing year.

Mykola Spiridonov, an expert at the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, also considers it important that such a press conference took place in principle.

"Even in such a difficult time, there is communication. The President is answering pressing questions. About mobilization, about his relationship with the Chief of the Main Command Valerii Zaluzhnyi. He does not avoid uncomfortable topics, communication with the media," the expert emphasizes.

In his opinion, Zelensky has both an advantage and a disadvantage - sincerity. He can be nervous and emotional. And his voters like it. As do many people abroad. But there are also those who criticize the president for being emotional, says Mykola Spiridonov.

"It should also be noted," he continues, "that Zelensky spoke against the backdrop of not just a map of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders, but also the EU flag. Thus, emphasizing one of the main achievements of the outgoing year - the decision to start accession negotiations between the EU and Ukraine. When such negotiations began in 1997 with Poland, Slovakia, and a number of other countries, they became full members only in 2004. There is no doubt that Ukraine will also become a member of the EU. Perhaps in the same timeframe, give or take. The background of the press conference emphasized this fact."

Of course, the expert notes that there were many questions about various aspects related to the war.

"I would note the president's response that he will not sign the legislative initiative that provides for the mandatory mobilization of women liable for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This refutes the rumors that such an initiative exists and can find support at the highest level," emphasized Mykola Spiridonov.

"It is also worth noting the President's statement that one million drones will be produced in Ukraine. In today's war, this is no less important than mobilization," the expert explains. "The democratic nature of the press conference is also noteworthy. It was attended not only by representatives of the classical media (TV channels, radio, print and electronic media), but also by the same telegram channels and YouTube channels). And Zelensky answered these questions quite fully."

Myroslav Liskovych. Kyiv