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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks peace but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

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

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

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.