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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine 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 declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.