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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% ready. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

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

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American national security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.