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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.