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As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that US security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.