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As part of his year-end message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

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

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.