President Zelenskyy Says The Nation Was Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost

As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

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

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.