🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "This deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

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

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.