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As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he said. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.