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In a year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.