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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country wants peace but not at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

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

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.