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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent prepared. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president made clear that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the destruction of Ukraine."

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

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and everything will end. That is how deception sounds," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards ensuring the security of the country following any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Reported

At the same time, reports of military actions continued. An official from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities confirmed four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable harm was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Claims Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russian president, American and European officials are in agreement that Ukraine was not behind the event. A report stated that American national security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

Reacting, 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 "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Allegations a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded claims from the invading force," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien territory" in a new year's message. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.