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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country seeks an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

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

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article stated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.