Volodymyr Zelenskyy
ON THE RECORD · 45 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“Those who allowed this to happen must be held accountable for their decisions,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-29
Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that those responsible for storing ammunition near civilians must face accountability.
“Right now, we average over 300 of our long-range sanctions,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-28 · reported 2026-08-29
Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine's current volume of long-range drone strikes against Russian targets.
“terrible negligence on the part of those who stored explosives right next to people.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-29
Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the decision to store explosives in close proximity to residential areas.
“There must be more. We have a very specific goal, and we will achieve it.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-28 · reported 2026-08-29
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's determination to increase daily long-range drone launches.
“The first strike was on an ammunition storage site that definitely shouldn’t have been there – a Defense Forces storage facility. Shells, mines, other ammunition, and drones detonated.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-29 · reported 2026-08-29
Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed in a social media post that the hit facility was an unauthorized ammunition storage site.
“No nation could withstand attacks of such intensity without the world’s help.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-24 · reported 2026-08-24
Zelenskyy spoke about Ukraine's reliance on international support during the war.
“We all understand that in this Russian war against us — against Ukraine — far more is being decided than the future of Ukraine and Eastern Europe,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-24 · reported 2026-08-24
Zelenskyy delivered a speech at Kyiv's St. Sophia Square on Ukraine's Independence Day.
“No nation in a war like this could rely solely on its own weapons,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-24 · reported 2026-08-24
Zelenskyy spoke about Ukraine's reliance on international support during the war.
“symbolises what is most precious”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-23 · reported 2026-08-23
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed military personnel during National Flag Day ceremonies in Kyiv.
“The world must respond to them accordingly – with real pressure on the aggressor. For peace to be possible, Russia must face real accountability,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for international pressure and accountability against Russia following the attack on Kryvyi Rih.
“preparing decisions within the diplomatic team”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-21
Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed ongoing diplomatic adjustments within his administration.
“New approaches are needed in some areas, particularly in the United States,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-21
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for new approaches regarding diplomatic efforts with the United States.
“Attacks like these are nothing less than terrorist acts,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-21
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian drone strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih.
“The attack was massive -- the Russians prepared for a long time and combined different types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones to inflict as much damage as possible on civilian infrastructure.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Zelenskyy characterized the overnight attack as massive and involving multiple missile and drone types.
“As long as Ukraine lacks sufficient anti-ballistic defenses, Russia will not seriously consider peace. We are doing everything we can to ensure protection, and work on the FREYJA program continues every day. However, interceptors for 'Patriot' systems are not yet available, and they are needed every day,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Zelenskyy said Ukraine's anti-ballistic defenses remain insufficient and Patriot interceptors are still needed.
“had been preparing (it) for a long time, combining different types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, aiming to cause as much damage as possible to civilian infrastructure.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the preparation and weapons combination used in Russia's barrage against civilian infrastructure.
“It was a massive attack,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on social media regarding a deadly Russian aerial attack on Kyiv.
“Throughout the night, our emergency services have been working at the sites of Russian strikes,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Zelenskyy described emergency services responding to Russian strikes on Kyiv in a social media post.
“Ukraine needs more strength. And it will have it.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-19 · reported 2026-08-20
Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed parliament's confirmation of the new defence minister.
“Unfortunately, while Moscow is investing in ballistics and escalation, there isn't always the necessary response from the world to such attacks,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Zelenskyy appealed to foreign partners for more support, criticizing the lack of world response to Russian ballistic missile investment.
“entirely dependent on the supply of missiles for 'Patriot' systems to Ukraine, and therefore, it depends on our partners.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
In a later post, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's defense against ballistic missiles depends on partners supplying Patriot missiles.
“We cannot simply stand by idly and watch as the Russians destroy lives with ballistic missiles. Ukrainian soldiers can operate effectively when the courage and professionalism of our people are supported by the appropriate assistance from our partners,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-20 · reported 2026-08-20
Zelenskyy called for continued international assistance to support Ukrainian soldiers against ballistic missile attacks.
“Ukraine needs more strength. And it will have it.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-18 · reported 2026-08-20
Zelenskyy commented on Khmara's confirmation as defence minister.
“carried out a unique operation targeting the naval base in Novorossiysk — the last major stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-12 · reported 2026-08-12
Zelenskyy said in a social media post Wednesday that the Ukrainian military carried out a unique operation targeting the naval base in Novorossiysk.
“an additional rapid mobilization of several hundred thousand Russians by the end of the year,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-11 · reported 2026-08-12
Zelenskyy said Tuesday night on social media that Putin is planning an additional mobilization, citing Ukrainian intelligence reports.
“The only reason this is still continuing is Russia's unwillingness to end this war.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-09 · reported 2026-08-10
Zelenskyy said late Sunday on social media that the war continues only because Russia is unwilling to end it.
“We do deliver entirely justified responses, and every Russian strike will be met with our response. Russia's war will be felt more and more at their own home – in Russia,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-09 · reported 2026-08-10
Zelenskyy said late Sunday on social media that Russia's war would increasingly be felt inside Russia.
“Developing one’s own ballistic capabilities and creating a new anti-ballistic system is a task that only a tiny minority of countries worldwide have managed to accomplish,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-06 · reported 2026-08-06
Zelenskyy said he met with senior officials on how to accelerate the development of Ukraine's own ballistic weaponry.
“We are working as hard as possible with all partners who can assist with the supply of interceptor missiles to protect against such insane Russian strikes targeting life, people, and civilian facilities,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-05 · reported 2026-08-06
Zelenskyy said on social media late Wednesday that Ukraine is working with partners to supply interceptor missiles against Russian strikes.
“Ukraine has this capability.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-06 · reported 2026-08-06
Zelenskyy made the statement in a social media post about developing Ukraine's own ballistic capabilities.
“coordinated our efforts regarding countries that have the necessary missiles and the capacity to help.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-08-06 · reported 2026-08-06
Zelenskyy said he spoke with NATO chief Mark Rutte about urgently procuring interceptor missiles from stockpiles.
“Ukraine is changing its political strategy.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-12 · reported 2026-07-16
Zelenskyy announced the change in a surprise statement as Ukraine appeared to have turned the tide in the war.
“with substantial experience who is capable of implementing what we agree on at the leaders' level and what the Ukrainian people expect.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-12 · reported 2026-07-16
Zelenskyy said each priority area of foreign policy would be assigned to a specific person with substantial experience.
“new opportunities for joint production, the development of innovative defense technologies, systematic exchange of expertise, and the export of Ukrainian battlefield-proven solutions”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-07 · reported 2026-07-07
Zelenskyy wrote on Facebook about new agreements signed with Estonia, the Netherlands and Denmark in Ankara.
“The United States and Europe have enough strength to stop this terror,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-06 · reported 2026-07-07
Zelenskyy declared early Monday morning that the strikes on Kyiv underscore Ukraine's desperate need for additional military aid.
“Russia has once again deliberately attacked ordinary civilians and residential buildings,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-02
The president condemned the attacks, noting more than 130 sites were damaged across Kyiv.
“Immediately after this conversation, I am returning to Ukraine.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy posted on X that he was cutting short his visit to Ireland and returning to Ukraine.
“Today, we have information about another massive Russian strike; we have relevant intelligence data,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy warned of an imminent massive Russian strike during a joint news conference in Dublin with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
“sees only further aggression against Ukraine and against other neighbours and Europe as a whole”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy said Putin sees only further aggression against Ukraine and Europe.
“meetings and meaningful negotiations”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy said Ukraine conveyed readiness for meetings and meaningful negotiations through various channels.
“stay safe and protect your families and children”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy called on citizens to heed air raid alerts ahead of the anticipated strike.
“We know that Putin has been preparing a massive strike against Ukraine for some time. That is exactly the threat we are facing tonight,”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy warned that Putin had been preparing a massive strike against Ukraine.
“all possible official and unofficial channels”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had used all possible channels to convey readiness for negotiations.
“ordinary nine-storey residential building”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy described damage from the strikes on X, noting a missile had destroyed 64 apartments.
“completely refusing to end the war”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy · said 2026-07-01 · reported 2026-07-02
Zelenskyy accused Russia of refusing to end the war it launched in February 2022.