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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.