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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country wants peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will make solid pledges towards protecting the country following any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials said four buildings were damaged and significant damage was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that American national security officials concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's only oil refinery.