🔗 Share this article President Zelenskyy Says The Nation Is 10% Away from Peace, But Not at Any Price As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was 90% complete. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is far more than just numbers." An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire The president made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine." "Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued. He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked. EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Moscow is brokered. Reciprocal Attacks Reported At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire. On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities. Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident Regarding previous claims of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred". Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story. EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion" Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said. Additional Updates DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region. Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.