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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "The deal is 90% complete, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that US national security agencies determined the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.