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As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.