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In a year-end message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.