Dec 12, 2025 – Zelensky visits troops near Kupiansk after recapturing several settlements, says “our warriors are achieving results here” and stresses that front‑line gains strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic position, while fresh peace talks are scheduled in Paris over the weekend following revised proposals from the Coalition of the Willing [11].

Dec 17, 2025 – Putin declares that Russia “holds the strategic initiative” along the entire front line, claims capture of about 300 Ukrainian settlements in 2025 and asserts his forces are “grinding down” NATO‑trained troops [10].

Dec 19, 2025 – EU leaders unveil a multi‑billion‑dollar, two‑year funding package for Ukraine’s economy and military, financed by borrowing rather than by tapping frozen Russian assets [3].

Dec 23, 2025 – Russia launches a massive overnight strike with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, killing at least three civilians including a four‑year‑old girl; Zelensky urges the world to apply “more pressure on Russia” and calls the attack a clear signal of Moscow’s priorities [9].

Dec 27, 2025 – Russia hits Kyiv with missiles and drones, killing at least one person, wounding dozens and damaging residential buildings and power supplies; Zelensky prepares to meet Trump in Florida, saying the talks will cover security guarantees and territorial issues, while Putin’s televised briefing warns Moscow will achieve its goals by military means [15][12].

Dec 27, 2025 – Zelensky tells allies that a prospective U.S.–Ukraine agreement is “about 90 % ready,” but territorial questions remain the biggest sticking point [8].

Dec 28, 2025 – During a Halifax stopover, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a CAD 2.5 billion (≈US 1.8 billion) aid package to unlock IMF/World Bank financing; Zelensky meets Carney, briefs EU/NATO leaders, and outlines a 20‑point plan to freeze the front line while seeking additional weapons and reconstruction funds [8][14].

Dec 28, 2025 – After a ten‑hour Kyiv assault, Zelensky calls Putin a “man of war,” says the strike shows Putin “does not want peace,” and seeks legally binding security guarantees comparable to NATO’s Article 5 in the upcoming Florida talks [2].

Dec 30, 2025 – Zelensky pushes back against Trump’s claim that Putin wants Ukraine to succeed, asserting Kyiv will defend its sovereignty and will not let Moscow shape its future [7].

Dec 30, 2025 – In a Fox News interview, Zelensky states Ukraine “cannot win without U.S. backing,” declares he does not trust Vladimir Putin, and notes his recent meeting with Trump was productive [13].

Feb 4, 2026 – Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim predicts Zelensky will win a post‑war presidency, as U.S.–led ceasefire talks begin and Russia launches a large drone‑missile barrage on Kyiv and Kharkiv, killing civilians; Kim adds elections can occur only after martial law ends [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – Zelensky denounces Trump’s public pressure for concessions as “unfair,” the third Geneva round ends without a breakthrough, Russia intensifies missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure while the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains a negotiation focal point, and Kyiv sanctions Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko [5].

Feb 22, 2026 – In a BBC interview, Zelensky declares Putin “already started World War III,” demands “intense military and economic pressure” on Moscow, rejects any land concessions, and insists Ukraine needs 30‑year U.S. security guarantees and licences to produce Western weapons before any election [1].

Feb 23, 2026 – Zelensky repeats that Putin’s invasion is World War III, warns that ceding Donetsk would only placate Putin temporarily, notes static frontlines in the war’s fifth year, reports Russia launched 126 drones and a ballistic missile overnight killing civilians in Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, and says Swiss‑hosted trilateral talks stall over Moscow’s territorial demands [4].