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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian president, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the incident. An article indicated that US security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages the country's sole oil refinery.