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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation 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 our country."

"Is the nation tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to give up? Anyone who thinks so is deeply wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, suggesting that even if forces pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the war would not end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of the country after a potential agreement with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile strikes continued. An official from Ukraine's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them children. Local authorities said multiple apartment buildings were affected and considerable harm was caused to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning recent claims of a UAV strike aimed at a property of Russia's leader, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that US national security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian defence ministry released a footage purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's claims "a deliberate distraction". "Nobody should believe baseless claims from the invading force," she said.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest North Korea has sent thousands of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity manages Serbia's only refinery.