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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American security officials determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.