🔗 Share this article President Zelenskyy States The Nation Is Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Price During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers." A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country." "Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added. He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented. EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered. Cross-Border Strikes Continue Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze. On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two power facilities. Contested Claims Over Drone Incident Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged attack "never occurred". In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative. EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction" The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked. Other Updates DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.