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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's sole oil refinery.