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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that if a diplomatic agreement to end the war cannot be reached during current peace talks, his country will continue to defend itself against a full-scale invasion by Russia.
"If Russia blocks all this, and as I said, it depends on our partners, so if our partners do not force Russia to stop the war, there will be another way: to defend ourselves ," Zelensky said on January 3, on the eve of another busy week of diplomacy.
These comments echo what the Ukrainian leader expressed in his New Year's speech, when he stressed that a peace agreement with Russia could not be reached "at any cost."
"What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No. We want the war to end, but not the end of Ukraine ," Zelensky said in his televised speech.
Hope, fear, fatigue and endurance on the wartime Dnieper
In November 2025, US President Donald Trump pushed Zelensky to accept a 28-point peace proposal. Many considered the plan to be very favorable to Russia.
Ukraine and its European allies – led by the UK, France and Germany – mobilized to draft a counterproposal, ultimately presenting a 20-point plan that was more inclusive of Kiev's interests, particularly in terms of security guarantees and territorial integrity.
Security guarantees, economic recovery
Zelensky spoke as security advisers from 15 allied countries gathered in the Ukrainian capital, where they elaborated on the details of the peace plan being developed, including possible security guarantees for Ukraine.
Few details were released from the meeting, but Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said the participants "discussed security guarantees, points of the peace plan, economic recovery and military-political issues."
Umerov stated that "for most positions, 90 percent of the peace plan, agreement has already been reached; work continues on the details."
Zelensky, in his December 31 speech, also said that the agreement was "90 percent achieved," but warned that it would be difficult to reach agreement on the remaining 10 percent.
Putin in New Year's speech: Russia will win in Ukraine
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, joined the meeting via video link, while representatives from NATO and the European Union participated physically.
The meeting will be followed by at least two other important meetings over the coming week.
On January 5, Ukraine will host a meeting of the chiefs of general staffs of European countries and others.
"The meeting aims to ensure additional coordination of actions with allies in the security dimension," Umerov said.
Macron promises "concrete" commitments
The next day, in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron will host a meeting of European leaders. Macron said in his New Year's address that European states and other allies would make "concrete" commitments to Ukraine's security during the talks.
Zelensky expressed hope for a summit of world leaders in the United States by the end of January to discuss peace proposals.
Zelensky unveils 20-point peace plan
"We will prepare for a meeting in the United States at the leadership level. We would like all this to happen in January, by the end of January ," Zelensky said.
Russia is not directly participating in Ukraine's talks with the United States or the Europeans, while Kiev is demanding strong guarantees that would accompany any potential peace deal.
Trump 'unhappy' with Russian leader
Meanwhile, on January 3, Trump expressed his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the continuation of the war in Ukraine.
"I'm not happy with Putin. He's killing a lot of people," Trump told reporters at his Florida resort. Trump has often praised Putin and said he believes the Russian leader is interested in a peace deal./ REL
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