🔗 Share this article

As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should 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-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent 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 national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.