🔗 Share this article

As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.