President Zelensky Says Ukraine Was 10% Away from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Price

In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's 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 aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that US security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.