🔗 Share this article

In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

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

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that US security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.