Leader Zelenskyy Declares The Nation Was Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Cost

During his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he said. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

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

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that US national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.