Kyiv adn Moscow appear to be nearing a potential resolution to teh nearly two-year-old conflict, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating a peace agreement is approximately 90% complete. the remaining obstacles, however, center on critical issues of territorial control and security guarantees, mirroring ongoing disputes over regions like Donbas and the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant [[1]]. As international mediators-including the United States-continue to facilitate talks, the prospect of a lasting peace remains uncertain amid continued hardline rhetoric from Russia [[3]].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski stated Wednesday, December 31, 2025, that a peace agreement with Russia is within reach, though significant hurdles remain. According to Zelenski, the two sides are approximately “90%” of the way toward a deal, but the remaining 10% will be crucial in determining the future of peace in Ukraine and across Europe.
The announcement comes as international efforts to mediate an end to the conflict continue, with the United States playing a role in facilitating discussions between Kyiv and Moscow. The core sticking point remains territorial control, particularly in eastern Ukraine.
In a New Year’s Eve address, Zelenski emphasized that Ukraine is committed to ending the war but “not at any price.” He insisted that any agreement must include robust security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. “The agreement of peace is ready 90%, there remains 10%. And that is much more than just numbers,” Zelenski said in a video message posted to his Telegram account. “That 10% will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe.”
Moscow is pressing for full control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as part of any settlement. However, Zelenski cautioned that Russia’s ambitions likely extend beyond Donbas, suggesting that a withdrawal from the region would not necessarily guarantee a lasting peace. “‘Withdraw from Donbas and everything will be over.’ That’s what the deception sounds like when translated from Russian to Ukrainian, to English, to German, to French and, in fact, to any language in the world,” he stated.
The development underscores the complexities of negotiating a resolution to the conflict, which has had significant global repercussions. The ongoing war has triggered a major humanitarian crisis and reshaped geopolitical alliances.
According to reports, the United States has been working to formulate a peace agreement incorporating proposals from both Moscow and Kyiv, but a decisive breakthrough on the issue of territory has yet to be achieved. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated his belief in Russia’s eventual victory.
mg (afp, Reuters)
