President Zelensky Declares The Nation Is 10% Off from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Cost

As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that US security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.