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In a year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's only refinery.