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In a year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity manages the country's sole oil refinery.