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During his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent prepared. "The peace agreement is 90% complete, ten percent is left," he remarked. "This is far more than simply figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine desires an end to the war but not at "any possible price". "What is it that Ukraine 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."

"Is the nation weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that should forces withdrew from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception translates," he remarked.

European Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country after a potential peace deal with Russia is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

In Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was reported to two energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that American national security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Claims a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat called Moscow's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a new year's message. Reports indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until 23 January. This entity operates Serbia's sole oil refinery.