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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that US national security agencies determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.