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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that American national security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.