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During his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.