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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential treaty was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.