President Zelenskyy States The Nation Was Ten Percent Off from Peace, But Not at Any Cost

In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck 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, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.