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In a year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

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

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that US national security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.