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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

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

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.