Leader Zelensky Says Ukraine Is 10% Off from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Cost

As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.