President Zelensky Says The Nation Was Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost

In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "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 war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.