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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting the country following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that US national security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show debris 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 creating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.