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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential treaty was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US security officials concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.