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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

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

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.