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As part of his year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article stated that American security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.