Peace is 90% Ready but Drones Still Fly: Ukraine Russia War Peace Process 2026

Is peace finally within reach, or is this just the calm before a new storm? On January 1, 2026, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains locked in a paradox. While President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims a peace deal is 90% ready, the sky above Kyiv and Moscow continues to burn with drone fire.

Ukraine Russia War Peace Process 2026: The Final 10 Percent

According to the Reuters news agency, Russian forces intercepted five Ukrainian drones heading for Moscow on Thursday evening. Simultaneously, an overnight Russian strike on Odesa injured six people. Despite these hostilities, Zelenskyy told the nation that the remaining 10% of the peace agreement will determine the fate of Europe and how people live for generations.

Disputed Attacks and Reservist Call-ups

A murky information war surrounds an alleged drone assault on Vladimir Putin's residence in the Novgorod region. Major-General Alexander Romanenkov labeled it a "terrorist attack," claiming 91 drones were downed. However, the Wall Street Journal reported that CIA officials doubt the residence was the actual target, suggesting drones were striking military infrastructure nearby. Meanwhile, Putin has authorized calling up reservists to guard "critically important facilities."

Trump's Peace Envoy and Global Funding

Diplomatic gears are turning under the influence of the Trump administration. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Zelenskyy and European officials, including those from France and Germany, to discuss security guarantees. On the financial front, the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative has grown to 24 countries, with Romania and Croatia recently contributing a combined $75.6m. The total fund now stands at $4.3bn as of December 2025.