🔗 Share this article

As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.