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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.