Zelensky and Putin set to address their nations with no end to war in sight

ImagePresident Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.Credit...Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times

ImagePresident Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.Credit...David Guttenfelder for The New York Times

With their troops locked in a bloody stalemate across much of the frontline, the leaders of Russia and Ukraine are set to share their 2023 messages on Saturday amid signs strong indications that the war will stretch through the coming year.

A passionate and effective speaker, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered hundreds of speeches since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its country in late February. His message has at times been defiant in the face of Russian aggression, motivating and mobilizing for the Ukrainian people and imploring the support of Ukraine's allies.

Mr. Zelensky will deliver his New Year's speech as Ukraine's military continues to prove itself as a formidable enemy against Russian forces, having reclaimed half of the territory seized by Moscow troops since the February invasion. But Russian attacks continue to kill and maim Ukrainians while decimating the country's infrastructure, leaving millions cold and dark. On Friday, the Ukrainian military said it had foiled another swarm of drones targeting the capital Kyiv.

"The enemy continues to launch massive air attacks over the Ukrainian capital," the military administration said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app.

The war has now passed its 300th day. There have been no peace talks between Ukraine and Russia since the first weeks of the conflict, which began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion on February 24.

The United States States and other allies of Ukraine have pledged to maintain their support for the Kyiv government "as long as it takes", promising a constant flow of weapons. This includes new US aid that was part of the $1.7 trillion government spending package signed into law by President Biden on Thursday.

The Kremlin recently indicated that it also saw a long battle ahead. President Vladimir V. Putin said last week his goal was to "end this war" - while emphasizing almost in the same breath his determination to keep fighting.

With his new In his speech of the year, Mr Putin will address the Russian people as the Kremlin has suffered a series of battlefield setbacks in a bitter war that has...