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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks peace but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that US security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.