Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is '90% ready' in his New Year address, emphasizing the ongoing resistance against Moscow's invasion. He noted that the final 10% of the agreement is critical for determining the future of both Ukraine and Europe. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his address, expressed faith in his troops and the inevitability of victory.

Earlier, allegations emerged from Moscow regarding Ukraine targeting Putin's private residence with drones, a claim that Kyiv strongly rebuffed. As the Kremlin reviews its stance on peace negotiations in the wake of these claims, Zelensky urged that any peace should not come at the expense of Ukraine's sovereignty, emphasizing that giving in to Russian demands could spell disaster for peace efforts.

In his remarks, Zelensky reflected on the importance of concrete commitments from allies, advocating for persistent dialogue in the forthcoming month with U.S. and European officials involved in the peace discussions. French President Emmanuel Macron is set to lead a meeting in Paris to solidify support for Ukraine, as Zelensky continues to push for robust security guarantees amid the complexities introduced by ongoing hostilities.