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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he said. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes persisted. An official from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukrainian 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-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European officials agree that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that US security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports suggest North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. This entity operates the country's only refinery.