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As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the end of our country."

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

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.