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In a year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.