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During his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

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

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials said four buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

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

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.