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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

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

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.