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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

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

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that US national security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.