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In a year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants peace but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.