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As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he said. "This is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.