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In a year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.