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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

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

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.