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

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.