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During his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials said four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article stated that US security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.