Leader Zelenskyy Declares The Nation Was 10% Off from Peace, But Not at Any Price

In a year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.