Leader Zelensky Says Ukraine Is Ten Percent Off from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost

As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.