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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that US security agencies concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

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

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.