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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he said. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.