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During his year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% ready. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv'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 hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.