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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.