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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.