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As part of his year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.