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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that US security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's only refinery.