Leader Zelenskyy States Ukraine Was Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Price

During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.