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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's sole refinery.