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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Strong Assurances, Not a Fragile Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine wants peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "We want an end to the conflict but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed skepticism about Russian intentions, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after any peace deal with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions persisted. A source from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack aimed at a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security officials concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's only oil refinery.