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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

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

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.