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In a year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.