Zelenskyy presents Ukraine's resilience plan: Details

First point is unity

This point contains a wide range of issues. The main message is that in order not to lose the war, there are things that can be done by the people themselves, and there are things that can only be done in unity with the allies.

Here, Zelenskyy emphasizes that Ukraine's ability not to give up in the face of difficulties and to face history with courage when a full-scale war began led to the unification of Europe and peace.

"We have reached the highest level of closeness with the EU and NATO since independence. We have already formed all the necessary architecture for the negotiation process with the European Union,” the President says.

According to him, the screening of legislation will soon be completed to open negotiations on EU accession for the first cluster in early 2025. He called the right to join NATO vital, but the lack of political will in the West hinders Ukraine's official invitation.

Zelenskyy assures that Ukraine does not trade its sovereignty and will not allow itself to be used in election battles. This is an obvious reference to the publications in the Western press that the ceasefire may include Russia's actual control of the occupied territories.

“Ukraine may have to outlive someone in Moscow to achieve all its goals... To restore the full integrity of Ukraine,” he emphasizes.

Zelenskyy also insists on information consolidation. In addition, he reiterated that elections in Ukraine will take place only after a just peace is established.

Regarding respect for soldiers, the Army+ functionality for transferring between units will be extended to all the Ukrainian Defense Forces, including the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine.

A special ombudsman will be appointed to protect the rights of the military. And soon, a new system of contracts in the Armed Forces for Ukrainians under the age of mobilization (under 25) should appear. It will have a specific motivational component.

According to Zelenskyy, based on these approaches, Ukraine will gradually move to form an army based on contracts rather than mobilization.

Second point is frontline

Specific measures are envisaged to stabilize the frontline. They include conducting operations both in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia. In addition, it is a question of strengthening the technological capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

For obvious reasons, this is largely a closed item. Zelenskyy noted that in some parts of the frontline - the hottest areas - 90% of Russian equipment is being destroyed by drones, which actually compensate for the shortage of artillery.

Third point is weapons

Ukraine is increasing its production of guns and artillery shells. In 2024, more than 2.5 million mortar rounds and artillery shells of 60 to 155 mm caliber were produced.

Next year, it is planned to produce at least 30,000 long-range drones. As well as at least 3,000 cruise missiles and missile drones. The search for solutions to shoot down Russian Shaheds with FPV drones continues.

As for the missile program, Ukraine is producing long-range Neptunes, and there have already been first successful hits. But increasing production alone is not enough; we need to stay ahead of Russia in technology. For this purpose, the format of the Technology Bet is being introduced, and the first meeting will be held in early December.

“Implementation of the resilience plan will ensure real strategic deterrence of Russia. Even without nuclear weapons, we can find conventional deterrence tools,” Zelenskyy adds.

To date, more than 40 foreign defense companies have been engaged to work for Ukraine. More than 600 Ukrainian companies operate in the defense industry, providing 300,000 jobs.

Fourth point is money

There are no risks to the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine due to funding for the year ahead. “Regardless of the political turbulence in the world,” the President says.

“All salaries and pensions in Ukraine will be paid, there is a winter support package, and in March 2025, pensions will be indexed to inflation.

Next year, government programs to support businesses and consumers will be expanded. The ePidtrymka (eSupport in Ukrainian - ed.) program will also be restored.

Fifth point is energy

This is the most sensitive item because Russia intends to plunge Ukraine into a blackout. In total, Russia has fired over 1,000 times at energy facilities and seized about 18 GW of capacity in the occupied territories.

A lot of work has been done to protect the facilities, but no details here. By the end of the year, energy sustainability passports for the regions will be prepared. These will be implemented in terms of electricity and heat generation.

In addition, Ukraine, as an energy hub, should become geopolitically among the first in Europe. But to a greater extent, this applies to the period after the war. The priority is nuclear generation, increasing gas production, oil production, and refining.

Sixth point is security

“It is about hard work that does not allow Russia to undermine the life of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy says.

A new system is being implemented at the national level - a safe region, a safe city, a safe community. There will be police officers in every school and every community.

This item provides for detailed work on shelters: modernization of standards, reconstruction, and construction of new shelters.

According to Zelenskyy, metal detector frames should be installed at the entrances to every school, other educational institutions, and public buildings.

The post-war phase includes internal security as Ukraine's competitive advantage to bring people back. It also includes de-mining, strengthening the border with Russia, and the deployment of basic military training, civil defense courses, and home health care.

Seventh point is communities

In times of war, frontline and border communities need special support. And those that have received the most IDPs need special solutions for greater internal integration of people.

The international component will be strengthened - interaction with communities in partner countries. And with countries that have taken patronage over a particular region or city. This is the task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the government as a whole.

According to Zelenskyy, based on the 'shoulder to shoulder' principle, rear and wealthier communities should support the frontline ones.

“We have taken special measures to support Kharkiv in the face of constant Russian terror so that life remains in the city. This includes special tax conditions in Kharkiv. And it has proven to be useful. I instruct you to develop similar conditions for other border cities - for Sumy and Chernihiv,” he says.

Eighth point is human capital

The annexes to this point will elaborate on the policy of restoring the lives of Ukrainians, the national standard of barrier-free accessibility (digitalization of services), and education, so that millions of children living in different countries remain in the field of Ukrainian culture.

Social policy is supposed to be modernized, and healthcare policy should include an increase in life expectancy.

Another point is the church and religious organizations. The state should develop a partnership with them and, in the framework of a dialogue, determine which models can strengthen Ukraine's spiritual independence. "Of course, we are not talking about the Moscow Church. The time of those who sanctify terror is over,” Zelenskyy adds.

Among other decisions, the President mentioned the institution of multiple citizenship and the restart of diplomacy. By the end of the year, ambassadors will be replaced (with special attention to the G7+ countries).

A Ministry of Ukrainians' Unification will also be established to deal with the affairs of the global Ukrainian community. “By the end of the year, we will submit a candidate for the minister for approval,” he adds.

In addition, the government has been instructed to provide free meals for all Ukrainian schoolchildren starting in 2025.

Ninth point is cultural sovereignty

Zelenskyy spoke about plans to implement a 'cultural Ramstein' format for Ukraine. In addition, a calendar of events for Ukrainian culture in all regions of the world will be prepared to support Ukrainian content and cultural products.

The state intends to support the translation of Ukrainian authors into other languages and the integration of Ukrainian studies into academic circles around the world. That is, to systematically promote the emergence of Ukrainian studies departments in world universities.

It is also planned to protect, search for, and return cultural and historical heritage. And the most obvious is the systematic creation of Ukrainian content.

"The kind of content that can completely replace Russian content. First of all, for children. This is a question of both sustainability and security. We have to outplay Russia in this,” the President emphasizes.

Tenth point is the policy of heroes.

It includes the regulation of the transition from military service to veteran status, the involvement of veterans in public service, family support programs, full integration into social and economic life, education, and rehabilitation after injury or captivity.

Rehabilitation units and mental health centers are already being set up in each cluster and supercluster hospital. Next year, such units should appear in every community with a medical facility.

In addition, starting in 2025, family doctors will receive additional payment for declarations signed with veterans.

Preparations for the launch of the Veteran's Assistant program have been completed. It is planned to train and pay 11,000 veteran support specialists.

Spaces for veterans are to appear in every district. At least 80 such spaces will be built in 2025.

In terms of support, this year almost 4,500 veteran families were provided with housing assistance. Under a separate program, 274 families of heroes received apartments.

In terms of education, 2,200 veterans received vocational training. And on January 1 of the new year, a program to support education for veterans' children will be launched.

Ukraine's resilience plan

After presenting Ukraine's victory plan in mid-October, which was designed for Western partners, Zelenskyy announced an internal strengthening plan. It concerns the frontline, the military-industrial complex, the economy, regional work, and other strategic sectors.

Earlier it became known that the plan consisted of 10 points. They include cultural sovereignty, security, and the policy of heroes. In addition, it provides for a change in approaches to mobilizing and protecting the Ukrainian energy system.

According to The Times, the goal of the domestic plan is to strengthen the morale of Ukrainians and reassure them of Ukraine's ability to repel Russian aggression, even if American aid is cut off. Such fears have arisen in connection with Donald Trump's victory in the US election.

According to Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Office, the issue is the mobilization of the economy and public sentiment.