U.S. steps up military supplies to Ukraine to level playing field, Zelenskyy says

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in his evening video address on December 26.

"There were reports by Syrskyi, Defense Minister Umerov. The front. Provision. It is very important that the U.S. is now increasing supplies. It is necessary to level the situation. I am grateful to our partners. And the pace of supply should be enough to slow down the pace of Russian attacks. We need more weapons. And a strong position for diplomacy," he said in the address.

Zelenskyy emphasized that every unit, every brigade that provides strong positions brings "the possibility of normal peace" closer to Ukraine.

"I thank our 95th, 80th, and 82nd separate air assault brigades for their resilience and bravery in battles over these weeks. Also, the 68th separate jaeger brigade – well done, guys! My gratitude as well to the 225th and 425th separate assault battalions – thank you! I would also like to highlight all our warriors who are carrying out long-range strikes on Russian territory. We are seeing the right and necessary results in destroying the military infrastructure of the enemy – and only military targets. Ukraine is defending itself from aggression, and our strikes are exclusively directed at military targets," the president said.

• On December 26, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also had a phone conversation with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. They discussed the development of bilateral relations.