President Zelensky Says The Nation Is Ten Percent Off from Peace, But Not at Any Price

During his year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that American national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.