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As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. 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 Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.