Leader Zelensky Declares Ukraine Is 10% Off from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost

During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly 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 oil refinery.