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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This deal is 90% ready, 10% remains," he said. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

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

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that US security agencies determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

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

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's only refinery.