Joannika Kissis

In Ukraine, watching the president's New Year's address is an annual ritual.

Zelensky spoke in his office, a Christmas tree twinkling in the background, and he said Russia's nearly four-year full-scale war on Ukraine has exhausted the country.

He said Ukrainians have held on for more than 1,400 days, longer than the Nazi occupation of many cities during World War II.

Let's start with the most important thing.

He said Ukraine wants peace, but not at any cost.

It wants an end to the war, but not an end to Ukraine.

Zelensky said a peace proposal is 90 percent finished.

Russia has already rejected points in this proposal.