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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This deal is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report stated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a video purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only refinery.