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

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

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

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said four buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that US security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.