🔗 Share this article

As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that American security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.