'Ukraine 10% Away From Deal To End War': Zelenskyy's New Year Address On Peace With Russia

Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 07:38 IST

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a peace agreement to end the war is “90 per cent ready,” but warned the remaining 10 per cent will decide the fate of Ukraine and Europe.

A file photo of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine wants peace but will not accept it “at any cost," stressing that ending the war must not come at the expense of the country’s sovereignty, security, or future, in a New Year’s video message shared on X.

“Let’s start with the most important thing. What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," Zelenskyy said in the message.

“We want the end of the war, but not the end of Ukraine."

Acknowledging the immense strain of nearly four years of conflict, he added, “Are we tired? Very much. Does this mean that we are ready to give up? Those who think so are greatly mistaken."

Zelenskyy said the ongoing war had clearly demonstrated the resilience of Ukrainians, adding that Russia had failed to understand the country’s resolve.

“And it is obvious that during all these years he did not understand who Ukrainians are," the Ukrainian President said.

In a separate video message posted on his Telegram handle, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was “10 per cent" away from a deal to end the war with Russia, while cautioning that the remaining issues were the most decisive and could shape the future of both Ukraine and Europe.

“The peace agreement is 90 per cent ready. Ten per cent remains. And that is far more than just numbers," Zelenskyy said.

“Those are the 10 per cent that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe."

According to AFP, Zelenskyy stressed that while Kyiv wants an end to the war, any settlement must include strong security guarantees to prevent Russia from invading again.

He warned against rewarding Moscow, underlining that peace should not come through concessions that would weaken Ukraine’s long-term security.

US-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have gathered pace in recent weeks, though both sides remain divided over key issues, particularly territory.

Russia currently occupies around 20 per cent of Ukraine and is pushing for full control of the eastern Donbas region as part of any deal.

Kyiv has warned that ceding territory would embolden Moscow.

Zelenskyy’s speech came just hours after US officials, including top envoy Steve Witkoff, held a call with Ukrainian and European security advisers to discuss next steps toward ending the nearly four-year-old conflict.

The war, now entering its fifth calendar year, has caused massive destruction across Ukraine, displacing millions of people and leaving entire cities in ruins.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his own New Year’s Eve address, urged Russians to believe in victory in Ukraine.

Addressing soldiers, whom he called “heroes," Putin said, “We believe in you and our victory."

The Kremlin has said it would “toughen" its negotiating position after accusing Ukraine of launching drone attacks near Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, an allegation Kyiv has not been shown to corroborate through publicly available evidence.

ALSO READ | Russia Releases Video Proof Of Ukrainian UAV Attack On Putin’s Residence 

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