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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he said. "This is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is deeply wrong," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.