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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country following a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that US security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign 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.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.