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In a year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.