In an interview with online.ua, Mykhailo Podolyak, the advisor to the head of the Presidential Office, named three main outcomes of 2023 for Ukraine, including an increase in military aid, the European Union's decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession, and the lack of serious progress by the Russian occupiers.
The Russian Federation did not capture a single settlement in 2023
The first conclusion, according to Podolyak, is that Ukraine is where it is in terms of war, in terms of support from partners, and in terms of understanding who we are.
The Russians have not moved forward. Despite all the propaganda statements of Russia, they are still where they are. They have not captured a single settlement. Moreover, they have lost an additional reputational component, because they no longer control the Black Sea. And gradually, I think, there will be changes at the front line.
Secondly, Ukraine and its partners today understand exactly what kind of war this is. The Ukrainian side has managed to change the rhetoric of its partners, the understanding of the nature of the war and the Russian regime as such. According to Podolyak, this guarantees Ukraine's continued support, despite some pessimism.
Thirdly, Ukraine is better prepared to face difficult challenges. Examples of this are the energy system, air defence or military production.
New EU solutions and help from partners
The advisor to the head of the Presidential Administration says that over the past two years, events have developed very rapidly, but there is one stability — Ukraine.
The State knows exactly what it is doing, where it is going and what resources it needs to do it. And what should be done in the face of this legendary technological breakthrough from a military point of view.
The second conclusion is that the European Commission and the European Union have made a decision that "historically looks like this: you are not Russia, you are not the Soviet Union, you will not go back to the past".
The third conclusion is that despite all the attempts to prove that Ukraine will be left alone with Russia, our country has seen a significant increase in direct military, financial or humanitarian support from other governments.
And for me, the 23rd is to some extent a year of return. Because I understand that you can find a job somewhere else. Especially in such times as Ukraine is living in. But people understand that this is home. And they come back. This is the answer to the question of why everything is happening.
