Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday that a potential peace deal stands “10 percent” away from completion. However, the President cautioned that these final unresolved issues represent the most difficult hurdles for the war-torn nation to clear.
While international efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II accelerate, both sides remain deadlocked over territorial borders. Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine and demands full control of the eastern Donbas region as a condition. Consequently, Kyiv warns that ceding any ground will merely embolden Moscow and compromise the long-term security of the entire continent.
“The peace agreement is 90 percent ready. Ten percent remains. And that is far more than just numbers,” Zelenskyy stated. He emphasized that these final points will ultimately determine the fate of peace, Ukraine, and the future of Europe.
Zelenskyy delivered his address shortly after US envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the next steps with European security advisers this week. Nevertheless, Ukraine refuses to accept peace at “any cost” without receiving ironclad security guarantees to deter any future invasions.
Kremlin Toughens Stance
Simultaneously, President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to “believe in victory” during his fourth New Year’s address since the invasion. The Kremlin recently vowed to “toughen” its negotiating position following alleged drone strikes near Putin’s private lakeside residence in Novgorod.
“We believe in you and our victory,” Putin told his soldiers, whom he continues to describe as national heroes. Although Moscow published footage of a downed drone, the Institute for the Study of War has found no evidence to corroborate the Kremlin’s claims of a targeted strike.
Consequently, analysts believe Russia may use the incident to justify even harsher demands during the upcoming rounds of diplomatic negotiations.
