Zelenskyy was referring to Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov making a corresponding statement to state propaganda media earlier the same day.
“Today we heard from Moscow another signal that they plan to make next year a year of war,” Zelenskyy said in his evening video address.
“And these signals are not just for us. It’s important that our partners see this. And it’s important that they not only see it but respond—particularly our partners in the United States, who often say Russia wants to end the war. But the rhetoric coming out of Russia and its official military orders tell a very different story.”
Zelenskyy suggested that Russian diplomats of using peace language to mask a desire to destroy Ukraine and later to target European countries they claim as “historic lands.”
He said Kyiv continues to work with allies on security, financial, and political measures, including the EU proposal to use frozen Russian assets, to convince Moscow that it will not be able to win on the battlefield.
“We need real protection from this Russian history of madness, and we will continue to work with all partners to ensure that protection is in place,” he said.
“We need the courage of all our partners to see the truth, acknowledge the truth, and act accordingly.”