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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he noted. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

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

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Officials said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's sole refinery.