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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.