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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

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

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.