Zelensky Declares Peace Deal 90% Complete as U.S. Offers 15‑Year Guarantees
Updated (4 articles)
Zelensky Announces Near‑Final Peace Framework In his New Year address on 1 January 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky said a peace agreement was “90 percent ready,” stressing that the remaining 10 percent would determine the war’s outcome for Ukraine and Europe [1]. He warned that any withdrawal from the Donbas region would effectively end the war, reaffirming Ukraine’s core security demands. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine seeks a durable peace, not a settlement “at any cost.”
United States Extends Long‑Term Security Pledge Following high‑level talks in Florida, Washington offered Ukraine a 15‑year security guarantee, though officials did not specify when the commitments would become operational [1]. The guarantee is intended to bolster Kyiv’s confidence in the forthcoming agreement and to deter further aggression. U.S. diplomats presented the pledge as a cornerstone of the broader peace framework.
Putin Publicizes Alleged Drone Attack on Residence Russian authorities released footage they claimed showed a Ukrainian drone striking President Vladimir Putin’s private home, accompanied by a map of the alleged launch points and images of a downed drone [1]. The BBC could not verify the material, and Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas dismissed the claim as a deliberate distraction from the peace process. Zelensky subsequently denied any involvement in a drone strike against Putin [2].
Negotiations Persist Despite Conflicting Narratives Peace talks continued through late December 2025 and into early January 2026, with both sides maintaining their positions while external actors offered assurances [2]. Newsweek’s live‑blog coverage recorded Zelensky’s denial of the drone strike and highlighted the ongoing diplomatic exchanges. The parallel narratives from Kyiv, Moscow, and Western partners illustrate the fragile yet active pursuit of a settlement.
Sources
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1.
BBC: Zelensky says peace deal is 90% ready in New Year address – Details Zelensky’s 90 % readiness claim, U.S. 15‑year security guarantees, Putin’s drone‑attack footage, Kaja Kallas’s distraction allegation, and the Donbas withdrawal warning .
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2.
Newsweek: Zelensky denies Putin drone strike claim amid peace talks – Reports Zelensky’s rejection of the alleged drone strike, situates the denial within ongoing negotiations, and notes the article’s live‑blog format and reporting team .
Timeline
Dec 7, 2025 – A massive combined strike hits Kremenchuk, cutting water, electricity and heat and leaving the extent of damage unclear, the city’s mayor reports. [2]
Dec 7, 2025 – Moscow says it shoots down 77 Ukrainian drones across multiple locations, underscoring intense aerial combat ahead of diplomatic moves. [2]
Dec 7, 2025 – President Zelensky calls his phone call with Donald Trump’s negotiating team “very constructive” after three days of U.S. talks in Florida about deterring Russia in any future settlement. [2]
Dec 7, 2025 – U.S.-led peace discussions in Miami aim to draft a settlement framework acceptable to both sides, focusing on long‑term peace and deterrence. [2]
Dec 7, 2025 – French President Macron offers solidarity and a ceasefire push; EU leaders and UK Prime Minister Starmer schedule in‑person talks in London on security guarantees. [2]
Dec 7, 2025 – President Putin rebuffs the idea of a post‑war peacekeeping force, warning that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be legitimate targets. [2]
Dec 23, 2025 – Russia launches a massive overnight attack with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, killing at least three civilians—including a four‑year‑old girl in Zhytomyr—and striking energy and civilian infrastructure. [4]
Dec 23, 2025 – Zelensky urges the world to apply stronger pressure on Moscow, saying the strike “sends an extremely clear signal about Russia’s priorities” ahead of Christmas. [4]
Dec 23, 2025 – Indirect peace talks stall on two core issues—territorial concessions and Ukrainian security guarantees—according to Zelensky’s remarks. [4]
Dec 23, 2025 – The Kremlin rules out temporary ceasefires, insisting it seeks a comprehensive, permanent peace agreement. [4]
Dec 23, 2025 – Poland raises its air‑defence readiness to the highest state, scrambling fighter jets and activating radar after the attacks, highlighting NATO’s heightened posture. [4]
Dec 29, 2025 – Zelensky publicly denies reports that Putin ordered or carried out a drone strike, rejecting the claim amid ongoing negotiations. [3]
Dec 29, 2025 – The denial is delivered as peace talks continue, with Newsweek’s live coverage tracking the evolving diplomatic landscape. [3]
Jan 1, 2026 – In his New Year address, Zelensky announces that the peace deal is “90 % ready,” warning that the remaining 10 % will determine the fate of peace for Ukraine and Europe. [1]
Jan 1, 2026 – Zelensky stresses that Ukraine will not concede its core security needs and warns that a withdrawal from the Donbas would amount to ending the war. [1]
Jan 1, 2026 – The United States offers Ukraine a 15‑year security guarantee after the Florida talks, though the timing of implementation remains unclear. [1]
Jan 1, 2026 – President Putin’s New Year message tells Russian troops “we believe in you and victory,” projecting confidence as the new year begins. [1]
Jan 1, 2026 – Russia releases footage it claims shows a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s private residence, presenting a map of alleged drone origins; the BBC cannot verify the source. [1]
Jan 1, 2026 – Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas calls the Russian drone‑claim video a “deliberate distraction” intended to derail the peace process. [1]
All related articles (4 articles)
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BBC: Zelensky says peace deal is 90% ready in New Year address
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Newsweek: Zelensky denies Putin drone strike claim amid peace talks
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Newsweek: Zelensky calls for stronger pressure on Putin after massive overnight attack that killed civilians
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BBC: Ukraine conflict updates: Kremenchuk strikes, ongoing peace talks in the US