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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "This deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he said. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but not at "any possible price". "What does our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.