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During his year-end address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that US security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.