Zelensky's New Year Address: Peace Deal Almost Finalized Amid Ongoing Tensions

Thu Jan 01 2026 10:26:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In his New Year address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that a peace agreement with Russia is 90% complete, emphasizing the critical importance of the remaining negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia's President Putin asserted confidence in military success, highlighting diverging narratives as tensions persist.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in his New Year address that a peace agreement to end the ongoing war with Russia is 90% ready, stating that the final details would significantly influence the future of Ukraine and Europe. Contrastingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored his belief in a military victory. Tensions escalated as Moscow alleged Ukraine's drone attacks targeting Putin, which Ukraine denies, complicating peace negotiations further. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's determination to negotiate a fair peace rather than submitting under pressure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a peace agreement to conclude the ongoing conflict with Russia is 90% ready, during his New Year address, which largely highlighted Ukraine's resilience against Moscow's aggression.

Zelensky emphasized that the remaining 10% of the agreement is paramount to determining the peace's fate, Ukraine's future, and that of Europe as a whole.

In a corresponding New Year speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin reassured his troops of impending victory, showcasing a stark contrast in perspectives. Earlier, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to strike Putin's private residence with drones, a claim unequivocally denied by Kyiv.

This incident, which included the dissemination of maps and videos purportedly showing drone attacks originating from Ukraine, has further complicated the peace talks. Although the authenticity of the materials has not been verified, they have prompted Russia to reassess its position regarding ongoing negotiations amidst EU officials' concern that such allegations serve as a distraction from the peace process.

Zelensky firmly asserted that Ukraine is not seeking peace at any cost, indicating that a withdrawal from the Donbas region would lead to disastrous consequences, as Moscow insists on complete control over this area in any peace deal. Currently, Russian forces occupy a significant portion of both the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Expressing gratitude to allied leaders for their support, Zelensky stressed the importance of translating intentions into tangible security guarantees, citing recent discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding long-term security commitments for Ukraine, although the implementation timeline remains ambiguous.

He warned that weak agreements would only perpetuate the conflict, stating that the world must halt Russia's actions decisively to prevent broader escalation.

In contrast, Putin's shorter address reflected on the war, which Moscow officially describes as a special military operation, expressing solidarity with military participants and focusing on domestic issues. In a global context, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un noted the collaboration between North Korea and Russia, hinting at broader geopolitical alignments in the conflict.

The challenges of resuming and accelerating peace negotiations, especially with the involvement of U.S. and European officials, were also highlighted by Zelensky, with commitments expected at an upcoming meeting in Paris aimed at ensuring a lasting peace and security for Ukraine and the continent.