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In a year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.