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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.