President Zelensky States Ukraine Was 10% Away from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Price

In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners 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 Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only refinery.