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During his year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.