Ukraine peace deal still feels elusive as the new year begins

President Zelenskyy said a peace agreement is “90% ready” but warned the remaining issues are decisive; Washington and Kyiv have been negotiating amid disputed proposals and cautious public sentiment in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s leaders and allies enter 2026 with talks on a possible peace deal but no settled agreement. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a pact was "90% ready" while stressing the remaining 10% contains decisive issues. Diplomatic activity increased late in 2025 after a leaked plan that Kyiv resisted, and officials and commentators say the outcome depends on several unresolved positions. Ukrainians report widespread exhaustion after close to four years of full‑scale war. Key points: - Zelenskyy announced a peace agreement was "90% ready" and emphasised that the remaining provisions are critical to Ukraine's future. - A leaked Russia–US plan that reportedly proposed Kyiv cede part of the Donbas was pushed back by Zelenskyy and European partners; Washington and Kyiv then began work on an alternative plan. - Russian officials have signalled they will only sign deals addressing what they call the war's "root causes," and independent reporting has described Moscow's recent claim of a large Ukrainian drone attack as disputed. - Political changes in Kyiv include the appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as chief of staff, and Zelenskyy has said he will ask parliament to prepare laws to allow a presidential vote in wartime while martial law remains in place. Summary: Negotiations entering 2026 leave peace unresolved and public sentiment in Ukraine remains wary and tired. Key actors have different positions, and Moscow’s stance is not aligned with Kyiv’s proposals. Kyiv has taken political and procedural steps that could affect talks, including a senior appointment and a move to seek parliamentary measures on elections. Undetermined at this time.