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As part of his year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.