🔗 Share this article President Zelenskyy Declares The Nation Is Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Cost As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers." A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire The president stressed that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country." "Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added. He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented. EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached. Cross-Border Attacks Continue Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze. On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities. Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred". Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative. European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion" Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked. Other Updates DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region. Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole oil refinery.