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In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.