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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

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

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

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

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.