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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

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

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.