🔗 Share this article Leader Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Is Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Price As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he said. "This is far more than just numbers." A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country." "Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he continued. He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented. European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Russia is reached. Reciprocal Strikes Reported Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire. On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to two power facilities. Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that US national security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen". Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed 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 diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked. Additional Updates DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region. Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity manages the country's sole refinery.