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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was 90% ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he noted. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, reports of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. An article indicated that American security officials determined the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates the country's only oil refinery.