Zelensky: Ukraine-Russia Peace Deal 90% Complete

In his pre-New Year's Eve address, President Volodymyr Zelensky provided a specific update on the status of negotiations with Russia. He characterized the progress as significant but incomplete, stating, "The agreement of peace is 90% ready, remaining 10%."

Zelensky warned that these final details carry immense weight. He added that the remaining 10% will determine the destiny of the peace process and the broader European region. The President made it clear that while the Ukrainian government desires an end to the hostilities, they are unwilling to compromise on fundamental principles or accept a deal that effectively rewards Russian aggression.

A central component of the ongoing negotiations involves the demand for solid security guarantees. Zelensky insists that these guarantees are necessary to dissuade Russia from launching future invasions of Ukrainian territory. Without these assurances, he argues, any cessation of hostilities would be temporary.

The negotiations, mediated in part by the United States, have struggled to achieve a decisive breakthrough regarding the question of territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly pushing for full control over the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass. Zelensky has firmly rejected the narrative that ceding this region would end the conflict.

President Zelensky expressed deep skepticism regarding Russian intentions in the Donbass. He argued that withdrawing from the region would not lead to peace, but rather further aggression. Zelensky characterized the Russian suggestion that withdrawal would end the conflict as deceptive.

He stated, "'Get out of Donbass and everything will be finished.' That is how fraud sounds when translated from Russian into Ukrainian, English, German, French, and indeed into any language in the world." This statement underscores the Ukrainian leadership's belief that Russian demands for territory are merely a stepping stone to further expansion.

The United States is actively involved in attempting to structure a peace agreement that satisfies both parties. Efforts are being made to ensure that both Moscow and Kiev contribute to the framework of the deal. However, the lack of progress on the core issue of territorial control suggests that a final signature on the agreement is not imminent.

Despite the 90% completion rate cited by Zelensky, the unresolved 10% represents the most difficult aspects of the conflict. These include the future status of occupied territories and the specific nature of the security architecture that will protect Ukraine moving forward.