🔗 Share this article

During his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.