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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "This deal is 90 percent complete, 10% is left," he remarked. "This is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires peace but not at "any possible price". "What is it that our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the destruction of our country."

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

He expressed doubt about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how deception translates," he remarked.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting the country after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, accounts of hostile strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, including minors. Officials confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report indicated that US national security officials concluded the alleged attack "did not happen".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense released a video purporting to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• North Korean Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company operates the country's sole refinery.