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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that American security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.