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As part of his year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

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

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that US national security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.