🔗 Share this article President Zelensky Says Ukraine Is 10% Off from a Peace Deal, But Not at Any Possible Cost In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers." An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce Zelenskyy stressed that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country." "Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added. He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented. EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered. Reciprocal Strikes Continue Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire. On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities. Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred". Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative. European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction" The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked. Additional Updates DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.