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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.