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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

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

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting the country following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported 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 struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding recent claims of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that US security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.