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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US national security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's sole oil refinery.