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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president emphasized that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

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

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American national security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

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

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.