Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared Tuesday that the year 2025 will be pivotal in determining the outcome of the ongoing war with Russia, speaking on the 1,000th day of the invasion.

In an address to the Ukrainian parliament, Zelensky emphasized that the coming year will be a turning point for Ukraine. He presented a “resilience plan” for the nation, stressing that the war has reached a decisive moment. His remarks came after the United States granted Kyiv approval to fire US-made missiles into Russian territory, a significant development in the conflict.

“In the decisive moments — and they are coming next year — we must not allow anyone in the world to doubt the resilience of our entire state. And at this stage, it is being decided who will prevail,” Zelensky told lawmakers.

He stressed that the conflict is not just about specific cities or regions within Ukraine, but about the future of the entire nation and its place in Europe. “This battle is about the whole of Ukraine, the battle is about the whole of Europe, about order or chaos for the whole world,” he said.

As the war intensifies, Moscow has escalated aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities, with the winter months looming. Additionally, more than 10,000 combat troops from North Korea have reportedly been deployed to bolster Russia’s military efforts.

On the diplomatic front, discussions about a potential peace deal have gained momentum, particularly with the possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency. Despite the growing uncertainty surrounding American support, Zelensky urged that Ukraine’s future should remain in the hands of its people, not foreign powers.

“This is a war that decides the fate of the entire nation. And no one should or can decide it for us,” Zelensky concluded.