President Zelensky Says Ukraine Was Ten Percent Away from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost

During his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that US security agencies determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.