President Zelensky Declares The Nation Is Ten Percent Away from Peace, Yet Not at Any Cost

In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.