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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.