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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials said four buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that American security officials concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.