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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report stated that US security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.