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In a year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates the country's only refinery.