Leader Zelenskyy States The Nation Was 10% Away from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Price

In a year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that American security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.