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As part of his year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russian leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's only refinery.