President Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Was Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Price

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

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country desires peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

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

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security officials concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.