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During his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was 90% ready. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Officials said four buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that American security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.