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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% ready. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report indicated that US national security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.