🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country seeks peace but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

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

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that US security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.