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In a year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials said four buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.