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In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said 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-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.