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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks an end to the war but not at "any possible cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he continued.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article indicated that US security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should accept baseless claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's only oil refinery.