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In a New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than just figures."

A Deal Requires Strong Assurances, Not Fragile Ceasefire

The president made clear that his country wants an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we weary? Very. Does that imply we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

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

EU Leaders to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris in early January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a property of Russian leader, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that American national security agencies determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas described Moscow's claims "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity manages the country's only oil refinery.