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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that American national security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.