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During his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that American security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.