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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.