Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is 90% ready, in his New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion.
Zelensky stressed that the remaining 10% of the agreement to conclude nearly four years of conflict would determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his own New Year speech, expressed confidence in his troops and asserted that we believe in you and our victory.
Earlier, Moscow claimed to provide evidence of Ukraine using drones to target Putin's private residence, allegations that Kyiv has distinctly denied. The released materials included a map purportedly showing that the drones were launched from Ukraine's Sumy and Chernihiv regions, as well as a video of a downed drone, with a serviceman claiming it to be a Ukrainian drone.
The BBC has not been able to verify this footage or pinpoint where it was filmed.
In response to these allegations, the Kremlin indicated that it would reassess its stance on ongoing peace negotiations. Yet, Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, remarked on the Russian claims as a deliberate distraction aimed at derailing the peace process.
In his 20-minute address, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine does not seek peace at any cost, asserting that the goal is not merely to halt the war but to preserve Ukraine's sovereignty. He warned that conceding territories in the eastern Donbas region to Russia would mark the end for Ukraine.
He expressed gratitude to nations supporting Ukraine while calling for declarations of security guarantees. Following discussions with U.S. officials, he noted that Washington had offered security commitments for a notable duration, although implementation timelines remain unclear.
Zelensky stated, Signatures under weak agreements only fuel war. Either the world stops Russia's war, or Russia drags the world into its war.
In a contrasting tone, Putin's address was significantly shorter, aiming to emphasize support for the Russian military engaged in what Moscow terms a special military operation.
At the same time, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un heaped praise on the cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, highlighting the involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict, which has seen significant casualties among those forces.
Zelensky expressed hope for renewed and accelerated peace negotiations this month, hoping for the alignment of both U.S. and European officials. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that participating states would make tangible commitments aimed at securing a just and lasting peace for Europe during a forthcoming meeting in Paris.
Despite discussions among various national security teams, any potential agreement will ultimately require the backing of Russia, a prospect complicated by recent tensions.
