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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

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

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. 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 significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report stated that US national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.