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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine desires 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 declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said four buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.