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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

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

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.