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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that his country seeks peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? No," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of military strikes persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article stated that US national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly given a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.