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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials said four buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.