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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.