🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article indicated that US security officials concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.