🔗 Share this article

In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments 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 continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.