Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky says peace deal 90% ready, last 10% far more than just numbers

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv is “10 percent” away from a peace deal to end the war with Russia, but warned that the unresolved issues are decisive and cautioned against any settlement that rewards Moscow.

US-led diplomatic efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have gathered pace in recent weeks. However, sharp differences remain, particularly over territory in a post-war settlement.

Territory remains core stumbling block

Russia currently occupies around 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and is seeking full control of the eastern Donbas region as part of any deal. Kyiv has repeatedly warned that ceding territory would embolden Moscow and increase the risk of future aggression.

In his New Year’s Eve address, Zelensky said Ukraine wanted the war to end, but not “at any cost”, stressing that any agreement must include strong security guarantees to prevent Russia from invading again.

“The peace agreement is 90 percent ready. Ten percent remains. And that is far more than just numbers,” Zelensky said in the address, posted on his Telegram account.

“Those are the 10 percent that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe,” he added.

US and European talks intensify

Zelensky’s remarks came hours after US officials, including top envoy Steve Witkoff, held a call with Ukrainian and European security advisers to discuss next steps to end the nearly four-year conflict.

The war, now entering its fifth calendar year, has caused widespread devastation, displacing millions and leaving entire Ukrainian cities in ruins.

Putin urges Russians to ‘believe in victory’

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, used his annual New Year’s Eve address to urge Russians to believe in victory in Ukraine. It was his fourth such address since the war began.

The Kremlin has consistently maintained that Russia will seek to seize the remaining Ukrainian territories it has claimed if negotiations fail. Addressing soldiers he described as “heroes”, Putin said: “We believe in you and our victory.”

Kremlin hardens stance after alleged drone attack

The Kremlin said this week it would “toughen” its negotiating position after accusing Ukraine of launching dozens of drones at Putin’s lakeside residence in the Novgorod region, between Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

On Wednesday, Moscow released footage of a drone it claimed had been sent towards the residence. Russia described the incident as a “personal” and “terrorist attack” against Putin, saying it would harden its approach in Ukraine war talks.

The video, shot at night, showed a damaged drone lying in snow in a forested area. Russia’s defence ministry said the alleged strike was “targeted, carefully planned and carried out in stages.”

Claims disputed, details unclear

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Tuesday it had not seen any “footage or reporting that typically follows Ukrainian deep strikes to corroborate the Kremlin's claims of Ukrainian strikes threatening Putin's residence in Novgorod Oblast”.

Putin has not publicly commented on the alleged attack, aside from the Kremlin stating that he informed Donald Trump about it during a call. Moscow has also not disclosed where the Russian leader was at the time.

Putin’s residences and private life remain closely guarded secrets in Russia.