🔗 Share this article

As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.