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As part of his year-end speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that US security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.