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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he noted. "This is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine wants an end to the war but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American security agencies determined the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense released a video claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "foreign land" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.