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During his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

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

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.