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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible treaty was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

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

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American national security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.