🔗 Share this article Leader Zelensky Says The Nation Was Ten Percent Away from a Peace Deal, Yet Not at Any Possible Cost In a year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers." An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire The president stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country." "Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added. He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented. EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered. Cross-Border Strikes Continue At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire. In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two energy facilities. Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report indicated that US security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen". In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story. EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion" The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked. Other Developments North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.