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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country wants peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security officials concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's sole refinery.