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During his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that US security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.