🔗 Share this article

In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.