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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole oil refinery.