Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is "90% ready," in a New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion. Zelensky stated the remaining 10% of the agreement to end nearly four years of conflict would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe." The remarks come as the conflict, rooted in historical and geopolitical tensions, continues to reshape the European security landscape.
Zelensky's statement provides a glimpse of potential progress amid ongoing hostilities. The conflict, which escalated significantly with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has its origins in the complex relationship between Ukraine and Russia, including Ukraine's post-Soviet shift towards closer ties with the West and Russia's concerns about NATO expansion.
In his own New Year speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his troops that "we believe in you and our victory." The dueling addresses highlight the starkly different perspectives on the conflict and its potential resolution.
Earlier on Wednesday, Moscow released what it said was evidence of Ukraine using drones to target Putin's private home on Lake Valdai in north-west Russia, allegations Kyiv has strenuously denied. It included a map allegedly showing that the drones were launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine and a video of a downed drone lying in snowy woodland. A serviceman standing next to the wreckage claims it is a Ukrainian Chaklun drone. The BBC hasn't been able to verify the footage, and it is not possible to locate where it was shot.
The ongoing conflict has drawn in various international actors, with the United States and European Union providing significant military and financial aid to Ukraine. Diplomatic efforts to mediate a resolution have been ongoing, but significant disagreements remain on key issues such as territorial integrity and security guarantees. The war has also had a profound impact on the global economy, disrupting supply chains and contributing to rising energy prices. Russia would review its position on the ongoing p
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