Leader Zelenskyy Declares The Nation Was 10% Off from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Price
As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is far more than simply figures."
An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce
Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."
"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.
He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.
EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security
In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is reached.
Cross-Border Strikes Reported
Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.
In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.
Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident
Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".
Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.
European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"
Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.
Additional Updates
- DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
- Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.