Zelensky's speech at a press conference and the most interesting questions

Category: Appeal from the authorities, PEGI 16

20 December 2023

“There must be an infrastructure for managing drones: simple and quick to use. At the last General Headquarters, we discussed precisely the issue of drones. Because we often have poor logistics: when 26,000 drones were lying in one warehouse and did not reach the front. There are no such pauses it should be. Our soldiers in the brigades will receive domestic drones," the president said.

Regarding the production of drones, the president assured: “We will produce a million drones next year. We will do everything to make it so.”

Zelensky added that artillery will also increase, in particular the 155 caliber, however, unfortunately, it is still very difficult with shots, because this is a very scarce product, there is a shortage of gunpowder.

"Boryspil" is like the Black Sea. This is a very serious operation. The opening of Boryspil is a victory for Ukrainian air defense. This will indicate that Ukraine is winning and this is very serious, this is also a powerful economic step,” Zelensky said.

He noted that the issue of opening Boryspil is being raised with colleagues, and Ukraine knows exactly what is needed for this.

“Why help someone and develop this topic? I have a working relationship with Zaluzhny. He should be responsible for the result on the battlefield as the commander in chief. Together with the General Staff. There are many questions. There is also the commander of Tavria, who is in charge of operational command. This is a complex issue, an offensive. Something happened, something didn’t happen. Something has arrived, something is missing, or maybe it won’t be. This is a complex story. We can afford to live in Ukraine with daily results." , - he said.

According to the president, being commander in chief is an honor.

“Being president is an honor, a great honor. This is not only a question in him. This is a question in our words, in rhetoric, in our actions. You know, the word comes, then a response step. We need strong steps and results. That’s it.” that's it. I don't develop any personalities or complexities in personalities," the head of state added.

The President answered the question whether layoffs are planned in the General Staff: “I plan to work. I’m waiting for a decision from them on mobilization so that we help people at the front. I’m waiting for very specific things on the battlefield. Strategy. I want to see the details. When there are details, then there are answer: 440 thousand, 340 thousand, 240 thousand, 100 thousand. This is normal. We must survive with you," he added.

“Women (the law on the mobilization of women - ed.), no, I will not sign. As for 25 years, if all the arguments are presented. Today I see that they need this, I agree with this,” the president said.

“Help is needed now (from the United States - ed.). Of course, this also sends a signal to the EU regarding the opening of their assistance, their package. As for the United States and assistance, it seems to me that it will be very soon,” he said.

Zelensky’s first press conference took place in October 2019 at the Kyiv Food Market and lasted 14 hours. The last major press conference of the head of state took place on the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion - February 24, 2023.

Chief editor of Censor.NET Yuri Butusov said that the publication applied to participate in the press conference, but the press service of the Presidential Office did not even respond.

“It is obvious that, firstly, Mr. Zelensky is afraid to answer unprepared questions for which he has not been given answers. And secondly, Mr. Zelensky is afraid of responsibility to the people of Ukraine. ... Zelensky has deprived him of the opportunity to ask him questions - the president has deprived the people of Ukraine opportunities to hear answers to questions that concern society,” Butusov noted.