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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "This is much more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the war would not end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a drone strike targeting a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the reported attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates Serbia's only refinery.