Russia is preparing for a new “year of war” – DW – December 17, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assumed on Wednesday (17/12/2025) that Russia was preparing for a new “year of war” in Ukraine in 2026, after the leader of the Moscow regime, Vladimir Putin, said that his troops, who entered the neighboring country in February 2022 for a “special operation” that was supposed to last a few weeks, would “without doubt” achieve their goals.

“We have heard a new signal from Moscow that they are preparing to make next year a new year of war,” Zelensky said in his daily speech. “It is important that our partners are aware of this and respond, especially our partners in the United States, who often claim that Russia wants to end the war,” the Ukrainian president said.

According to the president, the Russian authorities are trying to “undermine diplomacy” by seeking “various wording” in the proposals made during the negotiations “to disguise their desire to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians” and “their desire to legitimize the theft of our territory.” He also hoped that his envoys would maintain new contacts with US mediators this week in order to reach an amicable end to the conflict instigated by Russia.

frozen assets

Zelensky also referred to the European Council scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week in Brussels, where the Twenty-Seven will have to decide whether to use frozen Russian assets within their jurisdiction to further finance Ukraine. “It is a very important meeting. The result of the meeting is the result of Europe. Russia must feel that its desire to wage war next year will be meaningless because Ukraine will have support,” he explained.

Although most EU countries support the use of frozen Russian assets to support Kiev, the custodian of most assets, Belgium, opposes the move for fear of the legal consequences the measure could have if Russia takes it to court.

Earlier this Wednesday, Putin said that the objectives of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would “without doubt” be achieved, especially those of a territorial nature.

DZC (AFP, EFE)