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In a year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.