Zelensky sets red lines for peace deal with Russia on NY Eve ‘Peace? Yes. At any cost? No’

By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said Ukraine wants peace but will not accept a weak deal, warned that agreements without strong guarantees would only prolong the war.

Zelensky said Ukraine wants the war with Russia to end, but not through a settlement that weakens the country or puts its future at risk.

He in his 21-minute televised New Year’s Eve address, delivered shortly before midnight, Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainians are worn down after nearly four years of fighting.

Zelenskyy pointed out that the conflict has lasted longer than the Nazi occupation of many Ukrainian cities during World War II.

He stressed that exhaustion should not be mistaken for defeat.

“What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No,” he said.

Zelenskyy added “We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine.”

He said that Ukraine is tired, it has no intention of giving up. Any agreement that lacks solid and reliable guarantees, he warned, would only delay the conflict rather than resolve it.

“Are we tired? Very…Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken.”

Zelensky said ongoing diplomatic efforts are focused on securing a lasting settlement, not a temporary pause in fighting.

He added that talks are close to completion, but the most difficult issues, particularly those related to territory, remain unresolved.

Zelenskyy added “That is exactly what every meeting, every phone call, every decision is about now. To secure a strong peace not for a day, a week or two months, but peace for years.”

“Any signature placed on weak agreements only fuels the war,” he said.

He added “My signature will be placed on a strong agreement.”

According to Ukrainian media reports, Russia controls about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, mainly in the south and east.

Moscow has demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts of the Donbas region that are not fully under Russian control. Kyiv has rejected this demand, argued instead for freezing the front lines where they stand.

“Does anyone still believe them? Unfortunately, yes,” he said,

He added “Because too often the truth is avoided and called diplomacy when in fact it is simply lies dressed up in business suits.”