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During his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

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

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.