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In a year-end address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Officials said multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.