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In a year-end speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.