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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's sole oil refinery.