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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president emphasized that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's only oil refinery.