🔗 Share this article President Zelensky Declares Ukraine Is Ten Percent Off from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Price In a year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers." A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce The president emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country." "Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued. He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented. EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered. Reciprocal Strikes Continue Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze. On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities. Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident Regarding recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that American security officials determined the alleged incident "did not happen". Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative. European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion" The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said. Additional Developments DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region. Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.