🔗 Share this article

In a year-end message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.