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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. A report indicated that US security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.