Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia is preparing to wage war against Ukraine in 2026. In an address made on December 17, the head of state highlighted that Ukrainian diplomacy is focused on strengthening defense capabilities and ensuring the country’s resilience.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Threat from Russia and partners’ response
Zelensky pointed out that recent statements from Moscow indicate the Kremlin’s intentions to continue military actions next year. According to him, these signals must be clearly perceived not only in Ukraine but also by international partners, especially in the United States. The president noted that the words of Russian officials and official directives demonstrate the opposite of statements about the desire to end the war.
“Today we heard more signals from Moscow that they are preparing next year to be a year of war. And these signals are not just for us. It is important for partners to see this, and it is important that they not only see it but also respond, particularly partners in the United States, who often say that Russia supposedly wants to end the war,” he said.
The head of state stressed that the Kremlin will try to undermine diplomatic efforts by exerting pressure on specific points of peace documents to disguise its true intentions. In the president’s view, Russia aims to legitimize the seizure of Ukrainian territories and destroy Ukrainian statehood.
Security and political solutions to protect Ukraine
Zelensky warned that Russian rhetoric could threaten other European countries that the Kremlin may declare as its “historical lands.” To effectively counter these threats, he emphasized the need for real security, financial, and political decisions, including the use of Russian assets. The president also urged partners to have the courage to recognize realities and act accordingly to deter Russian aggression.
The head of state reminded about the important meeting of European leaders scheduled for December 18 in Brussels. One of the main topics of the summit will be the approval of a reparations loan for Ukraine. Zelensky noted that the outcomes of the negotiations should signal to Moscow that Ukraine will continue to receive support and that military escalation will be pointless.
The president added that Ukrainian representatives will continue dialogue with the American side this week to determine steps towards peace and ensure the security of the state.
At the same time, according to analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin is rejecting key provisions of peace initiatives, including security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial concessions. This indicates Russia’s unwillingness to compromise on ending the war.