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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

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

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian president, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's only refinery.