Leader Zelensky Says Ukraine Was 10% Away from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Price

As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile actions persisted. 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 blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.