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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he said. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.