Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to address journalists in an end-of-year press conference torday, December 19, amidst significant challenges facing his military and wavering support from allies. This conference comes as the Russian invasion nears its two-year anniversary in February.
This is reported by Kyiv Post.
Diplomatic Setbacks and Military Struggles
Zelensky's upcoming press conference follows a series of diplomatic and military setbacks. Despite his recent tour of Western countries to garner support, Zelensky was unable to secure a $60 billion aid package from the U.S. Congress.
Additionally, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban blocked about 50 billion euros in aid earmarked for Kyiv in Brussels. These diplomatic challenges coincide with a less successful counter-offensive launched by Kyiv in June, utilizing Western-supplied tanks and weapons.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his year-end press conference, reaffirmed his military objectives in Ukraine, vowing to continue the fight until Ukraine is "de-militarised" and "de-Nazified." This rhetoric comes ahead of elections in March and follows a year when Putin had canceled his press conference due to Russian military setbacks.
Declining Trust in Zelensky
Recent polls indicate a decline in public trust in Zelensky, with only 62 percent of Ukrainians expressing trust in him, down from 84 percent a year ago. This drop in trust comes despite the Ukrainian forces' modest gains in recapturing a few villages in the south and east after months of fighting against entrenched Russian forces. However, the Ukrainian armed forces and their commander Valery Zaluzhny continue to enjoy overwhelming support.
Political Pressure and Societal Demands
Zelensky, who became the global face of Ukraine's resistance, is experiencing renewed political pressure domestically. Kyiv residents have been rallying for increased funding to aid the military in reclaiming territory. Despite these challenges, Zelensky has highlighted recent successes in the Black Sea, where Ukrainian drones have forced Russian warships to redeploy and commercial cargo ships have resumed using Black Sea ports, despite threats from Moscow.
This press conference is a crucial moment for Zelensky to address these challenges and outline his strategy moving forward, as Ukraine continues to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict and its geopolitical implications.
