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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

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

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.