Leader Zelensky States Ukraine Is Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Cost

During his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, 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. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that American security agencies determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.