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During his year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said four buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that US national security agencies determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole oil refinery.