Zelensky Calls for Renewed Fight and Negotiations in 2025 as Ukraine Faces Mounting Challenges

The Ukrainian president pledges to strengthen the nation amid Russian territorial gains and shifting international dynamics.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for both military resistance and diplomatic negotiations to achieve a 'just peace' in 2025 during his New Year's address.
Russian forces advanced nearly 4,000 square kilometers in Ukraine in 2024, marking a significant escalation compared to previous years, particularly in the Donetsk region.
Zelensky expressed concerns over the uncertainty of continued U.S. support following Donald Trump's election, as the president-elect has called for an immediate ceasefire without detailing a peace plan.
The conflict has led to widespread devastation, with millions displaced, ongoing energy infrastructure attacks, and intensified battles in regions like the Donbass and Kursk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his military's progress in 2024, while reiterating demands for Ukraine to renounce territorial sovereignty as a precondition for peace talks.