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As part of his year-end address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country following any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.