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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that US national security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.