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During his year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.