Leader Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Was Ten Percent Off from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Cost

As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.