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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

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

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.