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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he said. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report stated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• 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 address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.