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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "The peace agreement is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not Weak Truce

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Absolutely. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the destruction of Ukraine."

"Are we exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are ready to capitulate? Any person who believes that is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced skepticism about Russian intentions, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he commented.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

In related news, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine following a potential agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

At the same time, reports of hostile strikes persisted. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukrainian long-range drones hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian aerial assault struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Local authorities said four buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous allegations of a drone strike aimed at a residence of Russian leader, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US security agencies determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, The Russian ministry of defense published a footage claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas called Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Extension: United States authorities have according to a minister given a temporary reprieve from restrictions to a Serbian, majority Russian-owned energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.