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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

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

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

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

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

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

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that US security officials concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.