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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

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

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional 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's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.