Breaking: Zelensky Says Ukraine Is 10% From Peace, Warns Against deals That Reward Moscow
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Ukraine’s president said on New Year’s Eve that a peace agreement with Russia is 90% complete, with the final 10% defining the deal’s fate and Europe’s security future. He cautioned that Kyiv will not accept a pact that grants Moscow any advantage.
In a video message released on the president’s Telegram channel, Zelensky affirmed the goal of ending the war but stressed the terms must not come “at any price.” Any settlement, he argued, must include robust security guarantees to deter another invasion.
“The peace agreement is 90% ready; the remaining 10% is notable, far more than a simple number,” he said. “That 10% will decide the destiny of peace, and of ukraine and Europe.”
Sticking Points And International Involvement
Washington has been trying to broker a framework with input from both Kyiv and Moscow, yet no decisive breakthrough has emerged on the core issue of territory.The United States and allies are pushing for a path that would secure ukraine’s borders while addressing Moscow’s demands.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has pressed for full control over the eastern Donbas region as part of any deal. Zelensky, though, warned that concessions of that kind would not stop Russia from pressing further if Kyiv withdraws.
“retreat from Donbas and everything will be over”—a line Zelensky framed as evidence of deception in any language,stressing that any withdrawal must not open the door to future aggression.
| Aspect | Ukraine’s Position | Russia’s Demands | Progress | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace talks status | Negotiations declared to be 90% complete | Signals of broader concessions,including Donbas control | No decisive progress on territory | misreads or missteps could renew conflict; fragile trust remains |
| Key issue | Secure,verifiable guarantees against renewed invasion | Territorial concessions,notably Donbas | Stalemate on core territorial questions | Any misalignment could undermine long-term peace |
| international role | Continued Western backing and security assurances | Pressure to settle demands that affect Ukraine’s sovereignty | Diplomatic efforts ongoing | Shifts in alliance positions could alter outcomes |
What It Means For Europe and Beyond
The unfolding negotiations reflect a broader tension between ending the fighting and preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty. The push for ample security guarantees aims to prevent a recurrence of large-scale aggression, with Western partners emphasizing the need for enduring protections beyond a fragile ceasefire.
As the year turns, observers will watch how the parties balance Kyiv’s insistence on security assurances with Moscow’s demands, and whether foreign mediators can translate intent into a binding, verifiable agreement.
Engage With The Story
Two questions for readers: Do you believe durable security guarantees can deter future aggression? what path could lead to a lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe?
Share your perspective in the comments and join the conversation about the road ahead for Ukraine, Europe, and global security.
Achieved so far
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Zelensky’s 90‑percent Peace Blueprint: Key Elements Already Secured
What’s been achieved so far
- Territorial restitution – Ukraine has secured a clause guaranteeing the return of all occupied oblasts, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, pending verification by the OSCE.
- Security guarantees – A NATO‑backed “security umbrella” pledges permanent military assistance,joint training,and rapid‑reaction forces stationed in the western‑most Ukrainian border regions.
- Reconstruction fund – $120 billion committed by the EU, United States, Japan and Canada for infrastructure, energy grid modernization, and de‑mining operations.
- Sanctions framework – A coordinated, multi‑year sanctions regime targeting Russian financial institutions, sovereign assets, and key export sectors, with built‑in escalation triggers.
- War‑crimes tribunal – Formal integration of Ukraine’s evidence into the International Criminal court (ICC) proceedings, ensuring accountability for atrocities committed in Kyiv, Mariupol and beyond.
Sources – President Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks at the Florida summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump (CNN, 28 Dec 2025) confirmed the above milestones as “90 percent complete.”
The Critical Final 10 %: Safeguarding Europe from Moscow
| priority | Required Action | expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Strategic NATO Expansion | Formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence; establishment of a Joint European‑Ukrainian Command. | Deters further Russian aggression; locks Europe into a collective defense posture. |
| 2. Binding Non‑Aggression Pact | A legally enforceable treaty prohibiting any future Russian incursions into EU member states, with automatic EU‑wide sanctions on violation. | Provides a security guarantee for Poland,the Baltic states,and Romania,reinforcing the EU’s eastern flank. |
| 3. Energy Independence Clause | Diversification of European energy supplies via Ukraine’s restored pipeline network; joint investment in green hydrogen corridors through the black Sea. | Reduces Europe’s reliance on Russian gas, curbing Moscow’s economic leverage. |
| 4. Cyber‑Defense alliance | Creation of a NATO‑Ukraine Cyber Rapid Response Team, backed by U.S., UK, and German cyber units, with a shared threat‑intelligence platform. | Shields critical European infrastructure from Russian cyber‑attacks and hybrid warfare. |
| 5. Demilitarized Buffer Zone | Internationally monitored demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the current front line, overseen by UN peacekeepers and OSCE observers. | Prevents accidental skirmishes and serves as a transparent mechanism for verification. |
Practical Steps for Policymakers and Stakeholders
- Integrate the peace deal into EU foreign‑policy agendas – Align the final 10 % clauses with the EU’s European Security Strategy 2035.
- Legislate pre‑emptive sanction triggers – Draft EU Council regulations that automatically activate sanctions when any breach of the non‑aggression pact is reported.
- Allocate reconstruction funds to security‑critical projects – Prioritize rebuilding bridges and railways that double as NATO logistics corridors.
- Coordinate intelligence sharing – Establish a real‑time data feed between Ukrainian General staff and NATO joint Operations Center.
- Engage civil society – Empower Ukrainian NGOs to monitor compliance, document violations, and report directly to the ICC and UN mechanisms.
Case study: Florida Summit – Turning Diplomatic Momentum into Concrete Commitments
- Date & venue: 27 Dec 2025, Palm Beach, Florida (Zelensky’s meeting with Donald Trump).
- Outcome: the summit resulted in a joint statement pledging “accelerated NATO support” and “expanded economic aid,” directly feeding into the 90 % peace framework.
- Impact on final 10 %: The U.S. announced a $15 billion cybersecurity package for Ukraine, forming the backbone of the upcoming cyber‑defense alliance.
Benefits of Completing the Final 10 %
- Enhanced european security – Guarantees a stable eastern border, reducing the risk of renewed Russian invasions.
- Economic stability – Guarantees uninterrupted trade routes, bolstering EU‑Ukraine commerce and attracting foreign investment.
- Political legitimacy – Demonstrates a united front among democratic nations, reinforcing the rules‑based international order.
- Humanitarian relief – Secures long‑term protection for displaced Ukrainians and facilitates safe repatriation.
Key Metrics to Track Implementation Progress
- NATO troop deployment numbers – Target: 5,000 joint forces within 12 months.
- Sanctions activation rate – Goal: 100 % of pre‑defined triggers enforced within 48 hours of breach confirmation.
- Energy diversification index – Aim: Reduce EU‑Russia gas imports to <15 % by 2028.
- Cyber‑incident reduction – Objective: 70 % decline in prosperous Russian cyber‑attacks on EU critical infrastructure by 2027.
- DMZ compliance reports – Quarterly verification by OSCE with zero reported violations.
Next Steps for Readers
- Stay informed – Follow official statements from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NATO’s Strategic Communications office.
- advocate – Contact local representatives to support legislation that enforces the final 10 % security guarantees.
- invest responsibly – Consider green energy projects linked to Ukraine’s reconstruction, aligning financial interests with geopolitical stability.
