President Zelenskyy States Ukraine Was Ten Percent Away from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Price

As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates the country's only refinery.