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During his year-end message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

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

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops 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 sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.