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In a year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.