Volodymyr Zelensky Says Ukraine Ready For Peace; Rejects ‘Weak’ Deal In New Year Address

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his New Year’s Eve address to underline Kyiv’s willingness to end the war with Russia, while firmly rejecting any settlement that he described as weak or damaging to the country’s future.

Speaking in a 21-minute televised speech just before midnight, Zelensky stressed that peace must not come at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty or long-term security.

Acknowledging widespread fatigue after almost four years of conflict, the president said exhaustion would not translate into surrender.

Ukraine, he insisted, sought peace but not at any price.

Zelensky cautioned that agreements lacking strong and credible guarantees would only delay further violence.

Any deal, he said, must be durable and capable of ensuring stability for years rather than weeks or months. He made clear that his approval would rest solely on the strength of the terms.

Diplomatic efforts, according to the Ukrainian leader, are now focused on securing such a lasting settlement.

He noted that intensive US-led talks, including recent discussions with US President Donald Trump in Florida, had brought negotiations close to a conclusion.

Despite reported progress, Zelensky admitted that territorial questions continue to block a final agreement.

Ukrainian media estimate that Russian forces currently occupy nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, mainly in southern and eastern regions.

Moscow has demanded a full Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of the Donbas region that it does not entirely control.

Kyiv has rejected these demands, arguing instead for freezing the front lines at their current positions.

Zelensky described Russian calls for withdrawal as misleading and accused Moscow of masking falsehoods as diplomacy.

Zelensky’s remarks followed a New Year’s message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reiterated his belief that Russia would prevail.

In a brief address broadcast from the Kamchatka peninsula and later shown nationwide, Putin praised Russian troops as heroes and expressed confidence in victory as the war entered another year.