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As part of his year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.