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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. 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 significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US national security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.