🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that US security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.