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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials confirmed four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.