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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.