Leader Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine Is Ten Percent Off from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Cost

During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that US security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.