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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.