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In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.