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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article stated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Claims a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's address. Reports indicate the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.