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During his year-end message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.