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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% remains," he noted. "This is much more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine desires peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who believes that is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike targeting a residence of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that American national security officials determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien territory" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.