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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

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

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

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

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.