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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president emphasized that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

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

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that US national security officials concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.