Leader Zelenskyy States Ukraine Was 10% Away from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Price

In a year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.