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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he said. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were affected and significant damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article stated that US security agencies determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity manages the country's sole refinery.