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During his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile 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 large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's sole oil refinery.