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In a year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

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

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.