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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

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

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of military strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.