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During his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that US security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's sole oil refinery.