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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible treaty was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.