President Zelensky Declares The Nation Was Ten Percent Away from Peace, But Not at Any Price

In a year-end message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.