š Share this article President Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine Was Ten Percent Away from Peace, But Not at Any Possible Price In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply figures." A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire The president made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine." "Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added. He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented. EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached. Reciprocal Attacks Continue Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire. In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities. Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report stated that American security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred". In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative. European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion" Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said. Other Updates North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.