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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that his country wants peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that US security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only refinery.