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In a year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.