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During his year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.