🔗 Share this article

In a New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that US security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.