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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials said four buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that US security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.