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In a year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

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

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that American security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.