🔗 Share this article

In a New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country desires peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.