President Zelensky Declares Ukraine Is Ten Percent Off from Peace, Yet Not at Any Price

As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.