President Zelenskyy Says The Nation Is 10% Off from Peace, But Not at Any Cost

During his year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% remains," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

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

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that American security agencies determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only refinery.