Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a New Year address that a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is "90% ready." The remaining 10%, according to Zelensky, would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe."

Zelensky's address, largely focused on Ukrainian resistance to the full-scale Russian invasion, comes as the conflict approaches its fourth year, counting from Russia's initial annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. The full-scale invasion began in February 2022, dramatically escalating the conflict.

In his own New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his troops that "we believe in you and our victory," signaling Moscow's continued resolve in pursuing its objectives in Ukraine. The dueling addresses highlight the starkly different perspectives on the war and its potential resolution.

Earlier Wednesday, Moscow released what it claimed was evidence of Ukraine using drones to target Putin's private residence on Lake Valdai in northwest Russia. The allegations, which Kyiv has strenuously denied, included a map purportedly showing the drones were launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine and a video of a downed drone. A serviceman in the video claimed the wreckage was a Ukrainian Chaklun drone. The BBC reported it was unable to verify the footage or its location.

The ongoing conflict has deep historical roots, stemming from Ukraine's complex relationship with Russia, its Soviet past, and its aspirations for closer ties with the West. Ukraine's strategic location, bordering both Russia and several European Union member states, has made it a focal point of geopolitical competition. The war has triggered a major humanitarian crisis, displacing millions of Ukrainians and causing widespread destruction. International efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution have so far been unsuccessful, with both sides holding firm to their core demands. Russia would review its position on the ongoing p