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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country desires peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that our nation want? Peace? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "We want a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's intentions, stating that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault hit apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including minors. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV strike targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry published a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.