🔗 Share this article

In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.