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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American security agencies concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.