In his New Year’s Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear that while Ukraine wants an end to the war, it will not accept any peace deal that threatens the country’s survival or future. His remarks came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his belief that Russia would ultimately prevail in the conflict. Speaking in a 21-minute televised speech just before midnight, Zelenskyy reflected on the exhaustion felt across Ukraine after nearly four years of fighting, noting that the duration of the war has already surpassed the length of Nazi occupation in many Ukrainian cities during World War II. However, he firmly rejected the idea that fatigue would lead to capitulation, stressing that endurance does not mean surrender.
Addressing the nation from his office, Zelenskyy acknowledged the immense toll the war has taken on Ukrainians but drew a clear line between wanting peace and accepting defeat. “Do we want peace? Yes. At any cost? No,” he said, emphasising that Ukraine seeks an end to the war without sacrificing its independence or future. He warned that weak or rushed agreements would only postpone conflict rather than resolve it. According to him, any peace deal lacking strong guarantees would simply sow the seeds for another war, and he vowed that he would only sign an agreement that ensured long-term security and stability.
Zelenskyy said ongoing diplomatic efforts were aimed at achieving a lasting settlement rather than a temporary pause in fighting. He explained that recent discussions, including US-led negotiations and talks with President Donald Trump in Florida, had brought the sides close to an agreement, which he described as “90 per cent ready.” However, he stressed that the remaining unresolved issues were the most critical ones, saying that the final 10 per cent would determine not only Ukraine’s future but also the security of Europe. He warned that a poorly structured deal would only prolong instability rather than end it.
Territorial control remains the central obstacle. Russia currently occupies roughly 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory, largely in the east and south. Moscow has demanded that Kyiv withdraw fully from parts of the Donbas region that Russian forces have failed to fully capture. Zelenskyy strongly rejected this demand, calling it deceptive and dishonest. He accused Russia of using diplomacy as a façade to push false narratives, saying that too often lies are presented as negotiations, dressed up to appear reasonable while undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a defiant tone in his own New Year address. Speaking to Russian troops, he expressed confidence in eventual victory and reaffirmed his support for the ongoing military campaign. His remarks focused heavily on the war effort, offering praise to soldiers and commanders while avoiding any mention of Ukraine’s alleged drone attack on one of his residences, a claim that Kyiv has dismissed as false. December 31 also marked 26 years since Putin first came to power, adding symbolic weight to his speech.
Earlier, Russian authorities released footage of what they claimed was a downed Ukrainian drone involved in an attack on Putin’s residence in northwestern Russia, alleging that as many as 91 drones had been launched. Ukraine denied the accusation outright, calling it fabricated. As both leaders delivered their year-end messages, the contrast was clear: Zelenskyy emphasized conditional peace built on security and sovereignty, while Putin doubled down on his belief that Russia would ultimately win the war, signalling that the conflict is far from over.
