Last year, Ukraine’s president for the first time did not address the Verkhovna Rada

The past year, 2025, became the only year in which Ukraine’s president did not deliver the annual address to the Verkhovna Rada.

This was pointed out by Yaroslav Zhelezniak, an MP from the Holos party.

According to him, preparations for the speech began as early as September 17, but it never took place.

The president’s address to parliament is предусмотрено (stipulated) by Article 106 of the Constitution and is delivered annually. In 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed lawmakers on November 19. His message focused on the war, Ukraine’s NATO membership, and the issue of elections. Among other things, Zelensky said at the time that “perhaps Ukraine will have to outlast someone in Moscow in order to achieve all its goals.”

Recall that on December 25, during his Christmas address, Zelensky said that Ukrainians on that holiday were wishing for “him” to die. The media interpreted this as a hint at the death of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

And during his New Year’s address, Zelensky said he did not intend to withdraw troops from Donbas—something Russia demands and, according to media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump also demands as a condition for ending the war.