🔗 Share this article

In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.