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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that US security officials concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.