President Zelensky States The Nation Was Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Cost

During his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.