🔗 Share this article President Zelensky Says The Nation Was Ten Percent Away from Peace, But Not at Any Price In a year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just figures." A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Truce Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of our country." "Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued. He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he commented. EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is brokered. Cross-Border Strikes Reported At the same time, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire. In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities. Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article indicated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen". Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris 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 creating the story. EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion" The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said. Other Updates North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.