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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

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

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.