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During his year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he said. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article indicated that US national security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.