President Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine Is 10% Away from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost

In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's only refinery.