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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.