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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials confirmed four buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.