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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.