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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "The deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American national security officials determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.