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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

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

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.