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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.