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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Robust Guarantees, Not a Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "We want a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He expressed doubt about Moscow's intentions, stating that even if forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards ensuring the security of the country after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report indicated that US security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry published a footage claiming to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Reports suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled oil company until 23 January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.