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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he said. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials said four buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that US security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.