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In a year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

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

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that US security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.