Kyiv must retain 'common understanding' of national goals, says Ukrainian president

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine must retain a common understanding of its national goals as the new year approaches, the country's president said.

"In general, this week will be important for Ukraine from a political point of view. We are entering the next year and must retain a common understanding of our national goals," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a daily address to the public late on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy noted that these goals include restoring the country's territorial integrity, returning displaced Ukrainians home, further building ties between the state and key partners, and acquiring new opportunities for Kyiv in the world.

"These are all tasks for the near future. And not only for the state, but also for each and every one of us," Zelenskyy said.

He also confirmed that he'd spoken to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the International Monetary Fund, and the head of BlackRock, a New York-based investment company, earlier in the day.

Zelenskyy further said that he was preparing to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he said he would present the "position and prospects" of his country.