Leader Zelensky States The Nation Was Ten Percent Off from Peace, Yet Not at Any Price
In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."
An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire
The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."
"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.
He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.
European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security
Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.
Reciprocal Strikes Reported
At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.
On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.
Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack
Regarding recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that US national security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".
In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.
European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"
Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.
Additional Updates
- North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
- Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.
