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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90% complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is much more than simply numbers."

An Agreement Requires Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

The president made clear that his country seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will make solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's SBU reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Local authorities said multiple buildings were affected and considerable damage was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Regarding recent allegations of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US national security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's assertions "an intentional diversion". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a new year's message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of troops to aid Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly granted a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's only refinery.