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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires peace but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones 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 hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article stated that US security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.