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As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials said four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.