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

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that his country desires an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are ready to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply mistaken," he continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting the country following any agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that American national security agencies concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian ministry of defense published a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.