Leader Zelensky Declares Ukraine Is Ten Percent Away from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Cost

In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

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

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.