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In a year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks peace but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.