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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The deal is 90% complete, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops withdrew from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

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

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, including children. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American security agencies concluded the reported attack "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.