"Putin's Mixed Messages on Ukraine: Calls for Peace on His Terms Amid Intensifying Conflict"

In their New Year's Eve addresses, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky focused on his nation's resilience and the ongoing war with Russia, while Russian President Vladimir Putin avoided any mention of the conflict. Zelensky's speech emphasized Ukraine's strength and the heroism of its soldiers, as he reflected on the country's survival and resistance against Russian aggression. In contrast, Putin's address steered clear of the war, instead highlighting unity and the values of Russian families, even as a new law expanding draft eligibility took effect and he praised the Russian military for their "fortitude."