🔗 Share this article

As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that American national security agencies determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.