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In a year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said 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 drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.