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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

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

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.