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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.