🔗 Share this article President Zelensky Says Ukraine Is Ten Percent Away from Peace, Yet Not at Any Possible Price During his year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply figures." A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country." "Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added. He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked. EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is reached. Cross-Border Strikes Continue Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze. In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two power facilities. Contested Claims Over Drone Attack Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that US national security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen". Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative. EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion" The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said. Additional Developments North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.