For Ukraine, the year 2023 ends with mixed results. After the capture of Bakhmut in May by Russian forces, the counter-offensive did not result in the hoped-for success. On the diplomatic level, kyiv has experienced real success, with the opening of negotiations for membership of the EU. Even if the new section of American aid to Ukraine, although essential, is blocked in Congress in Washington. Furthermore, the abortive rebellion of Wagner’s militiamen, behind their leader Yevgeni Prigojine at the end of June, shook the Kremlin and wavered the Russian army. But the conflict is bogged down on earth and is now igniting the sky, with the massive Russian strikes in recent days, to which kyiv responded.

It is in this context that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a “New Year’s interview” to the American daily The Economist. The head of state brushes aside the alleged successes of his adversaries and the lack of progress made by his own forces, but is concerned about a form of fatalism which could affect his compatriots and the reluctance of certain Western partners which could affect military aid.

“The West has lost a sense of urgency and many Ukrainians have lost a sense of existential threat,” Volodymyr Zelensky said. The “mobilization of Ukrainian society and the world” at the start of the war is no longer present today. “That must change.” The Ukrainian president has debunked the idea that Vladimir Putin is winning the war. It’s just a “feeling,” he insisted.

The Ukrainian president dwelled at length on the question of Western aid, particularly American aid, without which kyiv’s chances of victory are illusory. Echoing the rhetoric of Ukraine as a bulwark against Vladimir Putin’s Russia, he said that “European countries should pressure America to support Ukraine in their own interests.” If Russia is not stopped, it will take “more children” and “violate rights around the world.” “Putin feels weakness like an animal, because he is an animal,” he continued. He smells blood, he feels his strength. And he will eat you with your EU, your NATO, your freedom and your democracy.”

According to Volodymyr Zelensky, “the intelligence services of several European countries have begun to [examine] the possibility of an attack on their territory by Russia.” Without naming any country, the Ukrainian president indicates that some are not former Soviet republics.

He also requested to receive Taurus, a German-made long-range stealth cruise missile, which could allow Ukraine to destroy the Kerch bridge. “Russia must know that, for us, this is a military objective.” Although he said he was convinced that American aid would eventually be approved, Zelensky nevertheless indicated that Ukraine was working in parallel to develop its own production.

For the year 2024, Ukraine’s basic military goals remain unchanged: restoring Ukraine to its original borders. However, the president no longer details a timetable or concrete objectives on the territories to be resumed this year. In reality, Zelensky was not very forthcoming about his military strategy for the coming year. He only says he wants to “defend the east, save these very important cities of Ukraine, to the east and south, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv”. Zelensky, however, clarified that “Crimea and the related battle in the Black Sea will become the center of gravity of the war.”

The lowering of the age of mobilization to 27 and the reduction of the grounds for exemption planned by the head of state are not popular, according to polls. But Zelensky says there is no alternative: “This is the only way to protect our state and deoccupy our lands.” According to him, public opinion is too concerned with internal politics, while the Ukrainian presidential election – for the moment postponed – was to be held in 2024: “If we continue to focus on internal politics, we must call elections . Change the law, the Constitution. But forget about counter-offensive actions and de-occupation.”