🔗 Share this article Leader Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine Is Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Price As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers." A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce The president made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of our country." "Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added. He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented. EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached. Reciprocal Attacks Continue Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire. In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Officials said four buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities. Contested Claims Over Drone Incident Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that American national security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen". Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story. EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction" Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said. Other Developments DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine. Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.