Zelensky Hints at Near-Ready Peace Agreement in New Year Address

Thu Jan 01 2026 12:02:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a hopeful New Year address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a peace deal with Russia is '90% ready', emphasizing the critical importance of the remaining negotiations for Ukraine and Europe.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in his New Year address that a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is nearly complete, at 90% readiness. Stressing that the last 10% of negotiations would significantly impact Ukraine and Europe's future, he reaffirmed a commitment to not accept peace 'at any cost.' Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin maintained a stance of defiance, calling for victory. The ongoing complexities include recent accusations from Russia regarding Ukraine's alleged aggression, which may exacerbate negotiation tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is '90% ready', in a New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion.

Zelensky said the remaining 10% of the agreement to end nearly four years of conflict would 'determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe'.

In his own New Year speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his troops that 'we believe in you and our victory'.

Earlier on Wednesday, Moscow also released what it said was evidence of Ukraine using drones to target Putin's private home on Lake Valdai in north-west Russia, allegations Kyiv has strenuously denied.

It included a map allegedly showing that the drones were launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine and a video of a downed drone lying in snowy woodland. A serviceman standing next to the wreckage claims it is a Ukrainian Chaklun drone.

The BBC hasn't been able to verify the footage, and it is not possible to locate where it was shot.

Russia would review its position on the ongoing peace negotiations as a result of the alleged incident, the Kremlin said.

However, Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, on Wednesday described the Russian claims as a 'deliberate distraction' and an attempt to derail the peace process.

In his 20-minute address to the nation, Zelensky said that Ukraine did not want peace 'at any cost', adding that 'we want the end of the war – not the end of Ukraine'. He emphasized that a withdrawal from the eastern Donbas region would mean 'everything will be over', referencing Russia's demand for full control of the area.

Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region and 99% of neighboring Luhansk, known collectively as Donbas, which has been a major obstacle in negotiations due to Russia's unwillingness to compromise.

Zelensky thanked leaders supporting Ukraine but reiterated that 'intentions must become security guarantees'. Following recent talks with US President Donald Trump in Florida, Zelensky stated that the US had offered security guarantees for 15 years, although a timeline for their implementation remains unclear.

'Signatures under weak agreements only fuel war,' he said. 'Either the world stops Russia's war, or Russia drags the world into its war.'

Comparatively, Putin's address was shorter, expressing support for troops involved in the 'special military operation' in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also used his New Year message to laud the alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Zelensky expressed a desire for peace negotiations to advance this month with US and European involvement. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that allies in Paris would make commitments to protect Ukraine and secure peace in Europe.

Discussions also happened between Zelensky's team and national security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany on developing effective mechanisms to prevent the war from restarting. However, without Russian cooperation, progress remains uncertain.

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