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During his year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.