The video has been published on the Facebook page of the President's Office.
"Behind me is 'Mother Ukraine.' Ukraine stands firm on its feet. It does not bow its head, looks forward, believes in its future and victory over all the evil that Russia has brought us. Ukraine is capable of achieving a just peace, armed with a shield and a sword. Protecting its people, its colors, its independence," said Zelensky.
In his address, the president noted that in the past year, 1,358 people have been returned from Russian captivity, including 189 Ukrainians during the last exchange on December 30.
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian air defense shot down 1,310 cruise and ballistic missiles in 2024, as well as 7,800 Iranian Shahed strike drones that the aggressor state, Russia, used to attack Ukraine.
The head of state reminded about the Russian missile attack on the children's hospital "Okhmatdyt" in Kyiv in July.
"This is how weaklings and cowards strike. And we will never forget those children's eyes. And we will never forgive them for this!" emphasized Zelensky.
Speaking about the situation at the front in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky indicated that it is "very, very difficult and very complicated" there right now.
"But we believe, we know: you will hold on. Our guys will hold on. Your spirit and courage will prevail. All that has allowed you this year not to give up our Sumy and Kharkiv, our Kherson and Zaporizhia. And the Russians wanted this very much. But you dealt with the occupiers, returning the war back home, to Russia. And the disaster they sowed on our land has come back to them. In the Kursk region and in other places where our response arrived this year, our justice," stated the president.
Zelensky shared that 30% of all the weapons that Ukrainian forces had on the battlefield in 2024 were produced in Ukraine.
In his address, the president highlighted Ukrainian athletes, gold medalists of the 2024 Olympics in Paris – Oleksandr Khizhnyak, Olha Kharlan, Yaroslav Maguchikh, as well as world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk.
"All this is a bit more than just sports. It speaks of our character. Of who we are and what we are capable of. The meanings and symbols. That Sasha's fights, like the daily battles of all of Ukraine, show us: it doesn't matter how much larger the opponent is than you, what matters is how great your will is," said Zelensky.
Additionally, the president thanked all Americans for their support to Ukraine and recalled conversations with White House head Joe Biden and newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump.
"All the discussions with congressmen, senators, ordinary Americans, with everyone who supports us in the U.S., Europe, and around the world – in these many and varied conversations, there has always been unity in the main point: Putin cannot win. Ukraine will prevail. Putin must not win. Ukraine will win… I have no doubt that the new American president wants and can bring peace and put an end to Putin's aggression. He understands that the first is impossible without the second," emphasized Zelensky.
He expressed gratitude to all allies and partners for military assistance – for Patriot systems, IRIS-T, NASAMS, long-range ATACMS missiles, SCALP and Storm Shadow, F-16 fighters, and artillery shells through the Czech initiative and a million from the EU.
"27 security agreements and $40 billion in support of our army. The European Union and $50 billion in support of our economy. The 'G7' and the decision on $50 billion of frozen Russian assets. This is our great international work. This is our great international victory," stated the president.
Zelensky called the opening of negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership a historic achievement.
"This path is already irreversible. And Ukraine will be in the European Union. And one day Ukraine will be in NATO and will strengthen the Alliance. It will enhance the resilience of peace. The unity of Europe, which determines the fate of every nation on the continent. And this unity must be respected by all. Including Budapest and Bratislava. I know that both the Hungarian and Slovak peoples are truly with us, with Ukraine, with Ukrainians, on the side of truth," declared the head of state.
There is no need to fear that Ukraine will be in Europe, but "we must do everything to ensure that there is no Russia in Europe," added Zelensky.
"Its tanks, its missiles, and the evil it will inevitably carry further if Ukraine does not stand firm," emphasized the president.
Zelensky also noted the importance of supporting all "freedom-defending nations."
"Those who do not surrender it in Chișinău. Those who fight for their future in Tbilisi. And I am confident that the day will come when we will all say: 'Long live Belarus!'" said the head of the Ukrainian state.
Addressing Ukrainians, Zelensky stated that Ukraine "deserves to live in peace."
"Let 2025 be our year, the year of Ukraine. We know that peace will not be given to us. But we will do everything to stop Russia and end the war. This is what each of us desires. […] And as the president of Ukraine and as a citizen, I will do everything for this in the coming year. Knowing that I will not be alone. I know that alongside me are millions of Ukrainians. Strong. Free. Wonderful. Independent," concluded Zelensky.