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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country after any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted 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 oil refinery.