Zelensky Says Ukraine Nears Peace Agreement but Rejects Any Compromise Ending War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the country is close to the final stage of reaching a peace agreement but is unwilling to settle for just any deal to end the war. Zelensky stated that the distance to peace for Ukraine is “very small,” yet the quality of the agreement is of fundamental importance to Kyiv. According to international media reports, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will not sign a weak peace deal that would only prolong the conflict. He warned that any rushed signing of flimsy agreements would not bring sustainable peace and could instead lead to a renewed escalation of hostilities. The Ukrainian president added that all current meetings, phone calls, and leadership decisions are focused on achieving a “strong and reliable” agreement that can guarantee Ukraine’s future security and stability. These remarks come as Russian President Vladimir Putin, in separate comments, affirmed that Moscow considers itself the victor in the Ukraine war. In his New Year’s message to Russian citizens, Putin stressed reliance on domestic strength and asserted that Russia will achieve its declared objectives. Putin also praised the role of Russian military forces in what Moscow terms a “special military operation,” claiming that millions of Russian citizens support them—statements underscoring the significant gap between the two sides’ views on ending the war.