Putin and Zelensky's 2026 speech: Promises of victory and the outlines of a peace agreement
As the new year 2026 began, the world witnessed a stark contrast in the messages emanating from the two sides in the Russian-Ukrainian war. While Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed his promises to his people of a decisive "victory," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky surprised the international community and observers with optimistic pronouncements about the imminent end of the war, indicating that a peace agreement was nearly finalized.
Putin: A bet on victory and national unity
In his traditional New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin adopted a defiant and resilient tone, addressing both the Russian public and the troops fighting on the front lines. Putin called on Russian citizens to continue "supporting the heroes," emphasizing his deep faith in the Russian army's ability to win the battle. "We believe in you and in our victory," Putin declared confidently, wishing the commanders and soldiers a happy new year and stressing that "millions of people across Russia are thinking of you.".
What was striking about Putin's speech was his complete omission of any mention of the attack that Moscow accuses Kyiv of launching against his residence in the Novgorod region—an incident that Ukraine has categorically denied. Analysts believe that Putin's disregard for this incident stems from his desire to maintain high morale and focus on the grand narrative of victory, rather than getting bogged down in details that might reveal security vulnerabilities.
Zelensky and the last 10% equation
On the other hand, from the capital Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech struck a different tone, leaning towards diplomacy and hope for an end to the conflict. In a video message via Telegram, Zelenskyy revealed that his country had made tremendous progress towards peace, declaring that "a peace agreement is 90% ready.".
Zelensky explained that the remaining 10% is not just a mathematical figure, but rather "what will determine the fate of peace, and the fate of Ukraine and Europe." This statement clearly indicates that the sticking points concern the most sensitive and complex issues in the negotiations, which often include long-term security arrangements, border demarcation, and international guarantees.
The context of the conflict and its global effects
These statements come as the conflict enters its fifth year since it began in February 2022, a conflict that has reshaped the world's geopolitical map. Over the past years, the war has triggered global energy and food crises and led to sharp international polarization between the Western camp, which supports Ukraine, and Russia and its allies.
Zelensky's talk of an imminent peace agreement reflects a growing international desire to end the drain on global economies. However, Putin's insistence on "victory" raises questions about the nature of this anticipated peace: will it be a compromise acceptable to both sides, or merely a temporary truce to allow for a respite?.
While the world awaits what the first weeks of 2026 will bring, the remaining 10% of the agreement remains the most difficult obstacle, requiring painful concessions and fateful decisions from both sides to ensure the stability of the European continent and end the largest military conflict Europe has witnessed since World War II.
