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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, 10% remains," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not Fragile Truce

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

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie sounds," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU allies and partners gathering in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a significant blaze.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent allegations of a UAV attack targeting a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine was not behind the incident. An article stated that US national security agencies concluded the reported attack "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

EU Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Other Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: The US have reportedly granted a temporary reprieve from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. This entity operates Serbia's sole refinery.