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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report stated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.