🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president stressed that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that US national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.