President Zelensky States Ukraine Is 10% Off from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Possible Price

During his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage 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 suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.