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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was 90% ready. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% is left," he said. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

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

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.