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In a year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

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

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.