Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a fervent appeal to the international community on Thursday, December 28th, urging collective action against Russian aggression amid uncertainties surrounding future military aid.
“Defeating Russian terror is imperative,” Zelensky emphasised in his evening video address, delivered near the year’s end. “Terror must be perpetually thwarted, and this is a responsibility we, the free world, must shoulder together.” He stressed the crucial need for unified strength in the year ahead.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his peace wishes for Ukraine and acknowledged the latest US military assistance package. This package includes advanced air defense missiles, HIMARS cruise missiles, ammunition for various artillery calibers, and additional armoured vehicles. “Everything we require,” Zelensky declared.
The Ukrainian military has repeatedly expressed its pressing need for increased ammunition supplies to effectively resist the ongoing Russian invasion.
Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky appointed a new governor for the eastern Donetsk region, which is currently at the centre of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Vadym Filashkin, who served as the region’s deputy governor since February 2019, assumed the position as outlined in a presidential decree. Filashkin replaces Pavlo Kyrylenko, who took over as head of the cartel office in Kiev in September.
It is important to note that Russia lays claim to the Donetsk region, with more than half of its territory bordering Russia occupied by Russian troops.
In a separate decree, Zelensky appointed Olexander Koval as the new governor for the western Rivne region. Koval previously served as the head of the Rivne district administration.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion launched in February 2022, Ukraine has defended itself with Western assistance for over 22 months. The conflict also involves Moscow-backed separatists, who have controlled parts of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions since spring 2014.
This piece offers a factual and objective account of Zelensky’s address, the military aid situation, and the governor’s appointments, avoiding colourful language and focusing on the key points and essential information.
