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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.