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In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he said. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article indicated that US national security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.