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In a year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that US national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.