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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "The deal is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report indicated that US national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity manages the country's sole oil refinery.