Ukraine's Unwavering Stance: Why Zelenskyy Refuses to Surrender on Peace Terms

In his New Year address to the international community, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a stark message to world leaders: any resolution to the ongoing conflict must prioritize Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term stability, not merely temporary ceasefires that could reignite hostilities.

“We seek peace, absolutely,” Zelenskyy stated unequivocally. “But not at the cost of Ukraine’s existence. We’re exhausted by this war, yet fatigue will never drive us toward capitulation. Those assuming we’ll compromise on our nation’s survival are profoundly mistaken.”

The Negotiation Stalemate: Why 90% Isn’t Enough

According to recent diplomatic developments, peace negotiations have reached an advanced stage, with approximately 90% of the framework reportedly finalized. However, Zelenskyy emphasized that this remaining 10% is not mere technicality—it encapsulates the pivotal issues that will determine Ukraine’s future, Europe’s security architecture, and whether any agreement will be durable or destined to collapse.

The unresolved territorial question remains the central bargaining chip. Control over contested regions continues to separate the parties, with each side maintaining fundamentally incompatible demands. Rather than surrender Ukrainian claims to these territories, Zelenskyy insists any agreement must reflect a “strong peace”—one capable of enduring for years rather than weeks or months.

“Every negotiation, every diplomatic conversation, every policy decision hinges on this single objective: crafting peace that holds,” Zelenskyy explained. “A hastily signed weak agreement merely postpones conflict and ultimately fuels prolonged instability.”

Moscow’s Mirror Message

Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed comparable resolve in his own New Year address, assuring frontline soldiers that Moscow maintains confidence in eventual victory despite the conflict stretching into its third year. Putin’s rhetoric signals no imminent softening of Russia’s negotiating position, suggesting the diplomatic impasse will persist.

The Diplomatic Reality

With U.S. President Donald Trump’s involvement bringing negotiations closer to a potential framework, the international community watches whether this final 10% can be bridged. Yet the fundamental divergence on territorial sovereignty and peace duration shows few signs of narrowing. Unless both parties significantly adjust their core demands, the pathway to a binding, durable settlement remains obscured—and the region faces another year of protracted conflict rather than lasting resolution.