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As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was 90% ready. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. 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 large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that US national security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.