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In a year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that US national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.