🔗 Share this article

During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president made clear that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

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

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.