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In a year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

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

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that US national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.