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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.