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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "This deal is 90% ready, ten percent remains," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country following a potential peace deal with Russia is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukrainian 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 hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the event. A report stated that American security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "a deliberate distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid Russia's military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only refinery.