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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.