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As part of his year-end speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials said four buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that US national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.