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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report stated that US security officials determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.