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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president emphasized that his country wants peace but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that US national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.