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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.