President Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Is Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Price

During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

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

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.