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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90% ready, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is much more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.