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During his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that US security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

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

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.