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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting the country after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report indicated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

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

Additional Updates

• North Korean 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 message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.