President Zelenskyy States Ukraine Is Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Cost

In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

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

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that US national security officials concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

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

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.