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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions 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 manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.