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In a year-end address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential treaty was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials said four buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign 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.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.