A Year-End Assessment: Zelenskyy Remains Confident Amidst $61 Billion Aid Standoff With U.S. As Russia's Threat Looms

He firmly stated, "I'm certain the U.S. won't betray us — and what has been agreed upon will be fulfilled."

This statement comes as Ukraine's battle against Russian invasion enters its third year, with the conflict seemingly at a standstill. The country's financial aid, amounting to over $110 billion, is entangled in political disagreements in Washington and Brussels, its primary allies.

When questioned about the increasing risk of the Ukrainian military losing the conflict with Russia after the 2023 standoff, Zelenskyy responded with a resolute "No."

Zelenskyy's comments followed his tour of the Americas and Europe, during which Ukraine secured an agreement from the European Union to begin accession negotiations. However, this victory was largely symbolic, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked a €50 billion ($54.7 billion) aid package.

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December 21, 2023

The Ukrainian leader recounted a brief conversation he had with Orban in Buenos Aires during Argentine President Javier Milei's inauguration on December 10. He questioned Orban's lack of support for Ukraine and the absence of an official meeting between the two leaders. "He couldn't tell me," Zelenskyy said, but added that the Hungarian leader conceded to a bilateral meeting. "Our sides will work on it," he stated.

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As Ukraine endures its second winter of war, it continues to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks on crucial infrastructure. Troops are entrenched along a frontline extending from the Donbas region in the east to the Dnipro River delta in the south.

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The authorities in Kyiv are striving to strengthen their troop numbers and attract volunteers. General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's military chief, criticized the slow pace of conscription earlier this week, highlighting Zelenskyy's delay in signing a bill to lower the draft age.

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Zelenskyy mentioned that the military aims to mobilize up to 500,000 troops. However, he is still awaiting a comprehensive mobilization plan that includes a blueprint for troop rotations and leaves. He described the call-up issue as "very sensitive."

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Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he has no intention of backing down or compromising, especially with a presidential election looming in March. He stated that his nation remains determined to achieve its military objectives, including conducting elections in four Ukrainian regions that Russia occupies and has unlawfully annexed.

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NATO members are beginning to reassess the risks of an emboldened Russia as they contemplate potential scenarios should the deadlock favor Russia. This has led to a gloomier mood in Kyiv, with the number of citizens who believe the country and its war effort are on the right track dropping to 54% this month from 68% in May 2022, according to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

The survey, conducted from December 4-10, also revealed a higher level of dissatisfaction among Ukrainians living in the eastern regions controlled by Kyiv.