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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American security agencies determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.