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During his year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that US security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.