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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is much more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russian president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that US security officials concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.