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

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that American security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.