Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday warned that Russia is preparing for another “year of war” in 2026. He issued the warning after Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled that Moscow intends to press ahead with its military campaign.

“In today’s statements from Moscow, we received yet another signal that they are planning to make next year a year of war,” Zelenskyy said in his regular evening address.

Putin reiterates Russia’s military goals

Zelenskyy’s remarks followed comments made by Putin during a meeting with senior defence officials in Moscow. The Russian leader said Russia would “certainly” achieve its objectives in Ukraine.

Putin again described the invasion as a “special military operation”, a term used by the Kremlin since the conflict began more than three years ago. He said Russia aims to secure territories it claims as its own.

“We would prefer to do this and eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy,” Putin said. However, he warned that Russia would seize the claimed Ukrainian territories “by military means” if “the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions.”

Diplomatic talks continue amid sharp differences

Meanwhile, Ukraine earlier welcomed what it called “progress” on discussions over future security guarantees. These talks followed two days of meetings in Berlin between Ukrainian officials and envoys of US President Donald Trump.

However, Zelenskyy said major disagreements remain, especially over territory. According to him, talks have not resolved what land Ukraine may be forced to give up.

Washington’s initial proposal drew criticism from Kyiv and its allies. The plan reportedly suggested that Ukraine withdraw from its eastern Donetsk region. It also involved the United States de facto recognising Crimea, Donetsk and Lugansk as Russian territories.

Kremlin waits for US feedback

So far, details of the revised proposal remain unclear. Earlier on Wednesday, the Kremlin said it was awaiting official information from the United States.

“We expect that, as soon as they are ready, our American counterparts will inform us of the results of their work with the Ukrainians and the Europeans,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Disputed annexations remain unresolved

Russia claimed in September 2022 that it had annexed Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Lugansk and Kherson. However, Moscow never gained full military control over all these regions.

The annexations remain unrecognised by Ukraine and most of the international community.

Zelenskyy seeks EU support in Brussels

Zelenskyy is set to attend a summit in Brussels on Thursday. There, he plans to urge European Union leaders to support a proposal that would use frozen Russian assets to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

In his address, Zelenskyy stressed that Putin’s statements should concern not only Ukraine.

“It is important that our partners see this, and important that they not only see it but also respond, including our partners in the United States of America, who often say that Russia supposedly wants to end the war,” he said.

He accused Moscow of deliberately trying to “undermine diplomacy” while preparing for continued conflict.