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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

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

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.