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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.