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As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report stated that American security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole oil refinery.