President Zelenskyy Declares The Nation Is Ten Percent Off from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Price

In a year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants peace but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.