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In a year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

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

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American security officials concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.