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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

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

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity manages the country's sole refinery.