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In a year-end message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that US national security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.