🔗 Share this article Leader Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine Was 10% Off from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Price As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is far more than simply numbers." A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Truce Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks peace but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine." "Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added. He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented. European Allies to Plan Post-War Security In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Russia is reached. Cross-Border Strikes Continue At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire. In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities. Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that American security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred". Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative. EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion" Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked. Other Updates DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region. Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.