🔗 Share this article

In a year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

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

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

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

European Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.