🔗 Share this article

As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report indicated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.