Leader Zelensky States Ukraine Is 10% Off from Peace, Yet Not at Any Cost

As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that US security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.