🔗 Share this article

As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that US national security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.