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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he said. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

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

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.