🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

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

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US security agencies concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.