‘We Want End To War, But Not End Of Ukraine’: Zelensky Rejects ‘Weak’ Peace Deal | India News

In his speech on New Year’s Eve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine wants the war to end, but will not accept a weak peace agreement, and emphasized that any agreement should not be made at the expense of the future of the country.

His remarks came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his belief that Moscow would prevail in the ongoing conflict.

In a 21-minute televised address to the nation just before midnight, Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainians were exhausted after nearly four years of war; He noted that this period was longer than the occupation of many Ukrainian cities by Germany during World War II.

But he made it clear that fatigue does not mean surrender.

“What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At what cost? No,” said Zelensky, adding, “We want the war to end, but not for Ukraine to end.”

“Are we tired? Very much,” he said. “Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken.”

The Ukrainian leader said that any agreement without firm and credible guarantees would only prolong the conflict rather than resolve it.

“Any signature to weak agreements will only fuel war,” he said. ‘I will sign a strong agreement’

Zelensky said ongoing diplomatic efforts are focused on providing a lasting and meaningful solution. “Right now, every meeting, every phone call, every decision is about exactly that,” he said. “Securing a strong peace; a peace that will last not for a day, a week, or two months, but for years.”

He added that weeks of US-led diplomacy, including talks with US President Donald Trump in Florida last weekend, had brought the negotiations closer to completion.

“The peace agreement is 90 percent ready,” Zelensky said. “This 10 percent includes everything. It will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe.”

But he acknowledged that unresolved land issues remain the main obstacle to a final agreement.

According to Ukrainian media reports, Russia currently occupies approximately 19 percent of Ukrainian territory, largely in the southern and eastern regions. Moscow demands that Kiev withdraw from parts of the eastern Donbas region that Russian forces have not fully captured.

Ukraine, on the other hand, wants the front lines to be frozen in their current positions. Zelensky rejected Russia’s demands for Ukraine’s complete withdrawal from Donbas, calling them “deception”.

“Does anyone still believe these? Unfortunately, yes,” he said. “Because most of the time the truth is avoided and called diplomacy, when in fact it is just lies disguised as business.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin told soldiers fighting on the front lines on Thursday that he is confident Moscow will prevail in Ukraine, even though the conflict drags on for another year with no clear end in sight.

In a brief New Year’s speech first broadcast to kick off 2026 on the Kamchatka peninsula, Russia’s easternmost region, Putin praised the troops involved in the war as “heroes” and sought to show resolve after nearly four years of war, the Moscow Times reported.

Addressing those he described as Russia’s “fighters and commanders”, the president said, “We believe in you and in our victory.”