Moscow [Russia], January 1: The New Year's messages from Russian and Ukrainian leaders offered insights into the peace process, as well as hinting at the future course of the conflict.
According to AFP on January 1st, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country is only about 10% away from an agreement to end hostilities with Russia, although he said that the most important issues have not yet been resolved.
In his New Year's Eve message, he said the country wanted an end to the hostilities but not "at all costs," and stressed that any agreement would need solid security guarantees to prevent Russia from sending troops back.
"The peace agreement is 90% ready. There's 10% left. And that's not just about the numbers. That 10% will decide the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe," he stated.
President Zelensky's speech came just hours after U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, held a phone call with Ukrainian and European security advisers about the next steps to end the nearly four-year-long conflict.
The war has caused immense devastation, forcing millions to flee their homes and turning many Ukrainian cities into ruins.
The Ukrainian president said that the people of his country are exhausted after nearly four years of fighting, but they will not give up.
"Are we tired? Very tired. Does that mean we're ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks that is completely wrong," Zelensky emphasized, adding that any signatures "on weak agreements would only further fuel the fighting."
"My signature will be placed on a solid agreement. And that is the goal of every meeting, every phone call, every decision now. To ensure lasting peace for all, not for a day, a week, or two months, but peace for many years," he stated.
The current obstacle to an agreement is the issue of who will control which part of Ukrainian territory. Russia currently controls about 19% of Ukrainian territory in the south and east. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining parts of Donbass under its control .
Ukraine wants the map frozen at the current front line, and Zelensky rejects a complete withdrawal of troops from Donbass.
In his New Year's address, President Putin expressed confidence in victory in Ukraine . Speaking to soldiers, whom he hailed as heroes, the leader said, "We believe in you and in our victory."
In his message, President Putin also called on the people to unite, which he said was a decisive factor in the country's sovereignty, security, and future.
Regarding peace efforts, Special Envoy Witkoff said he had a productive phone call with European leaders about the next steps in US President Donald Trump's plan.
Mr. Witkoff said that he, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, discussed "advancing the next steps in the European peace process."
The discussions addressed "strengthening security guarantees and developing effective conflict reduction mechanisms to help end hostilities and ensure they do not recur," Witkoff wrote on X.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
