Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is “10 per cent away” from a peace deal to end the war with Russia, but warned that the remaining issues are the most difficult and will decide the future of Ukraine and peace in Europe. Speaking in a video message on Telegram as the war enters its fifth year, he highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States while noting that deep disagreements with Moscow persist over territory, security guarantees, and the terms of any settlement.
Zelenskyy Says Peace Deal Is Close but Final Issues Are Critical
In a video message shared on Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a peace deal to end the war with Russia is “90 per cent ready,” but warned that the remaining 10 per cent is the most difficult and decisive part of the negotiations. He stressed that these unresolved issues are not just technical details, but questions that will determine the future of peace, Ukraine, and Europe.
Zelenskyy cautioned against rushing into an agreement without settling core security concerns, warning that a weak deal could lead to renewed conflict. He made it clear that while Ukraine wants the war to end, it will not accept peace at the cost of its safety or independence. According to him, any settlement that rewards Russia or limits Ukraine’s ability to defend itself could encourage further aggression.
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A central demand from Kyiv is the inclusion of strong and dependable security guarantees. Zelenskyy said such guarantees are essential to prevent Russia from launching another invasion once the fighting stops. Without them, he warned, any peace agreement would be fragile and unlikely to last.
His remarks come as international mediators intensify efforts to narrow differences between the two sides. However, Zelenskyy’s message made clear that Ukraine will not agree to a deal that compromises its long-term security, even if negotiations appear close to completion.
Territory and Security Remain Major Sticking Points
One of the biggest obstacles to a peace agreement remains the issue of territory. Russia currently occupies around 20 per cent of Ukrainian land, including large parts of eastern and southern regions. Moscow is pushing for full control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as part of any settlement.
Kyiv has consistently rejected these demands. Ukrainian officials argue that giving up territory would not bring lasting peace, but instead send a signal that aggression is rewarded. Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned that ceding land would only encourage Russia to push further in the future.
These deep divisions have kept negotiations tense, despite increased diplomatic activity. Zelenskyy’s comments came amid intensified talks led by the United States, which is working with European partners to explore possible paths to ending the conflict.
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Just hours before Zelenskyy’s New Year address, US officials, including top envoy Steve Witkoff, held a call with Ukrainian and European security advisers. The discussion focused on next steps toward ending the nearly four-year-old war. Although officials did not make the details of the talks public, the call highlighted the growing urgency among Western allies to find a diplomatic solution.
At the same time, the situation on the ground remains difficult. The war has caused massive destruction across Ukraine and forced millions of people to flee their homes. Fighting has badly damaged or reduced entire cities and towns to rubble, placing immense strain on the country’s economy and population.
Zelenskyy has acknowledged the exhaustion felt by Ukrainians after years of fighting, but he has rejected any suggestion that this fatigue means Ukraine is ready to surrender or accept unfavorable terms.
New Year Messages Highlight Sharp Contrast Between Kyiv and Moscow
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s stance on peace in a New Year’s video message, saying the country wants an end to the war but not at the cost of its sovereignty. “We want the end of the war, but not the end of Ukraine,” he said, stressing that peace must not weaken the nation’s independence or security.
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Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukrainians are deeply tired after nearly four years of fighting, destruction, and loss, but he firmly rejected surrender and said exhaustion does not mean Ukraine is ready to give up. He added that the prolonged war has shown the resilience of the Ukrainian people and argued that Russia badly misjudged the country it was fighting.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a defiant tone in his New Year’s Eve address, urging Russians to believe in victory and praising soldiers as “heroes.” Meanwhile, the Kremlin signaled a tougher negotiating stance after it accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks near Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, though authorities have not supported the claims with publicly available evidence.