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As part of his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace deal was 90% prepared. "The deal is 90 percent complete, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is much more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Fragile Truce

Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine wants peace but not at "any possible cost". "What does our nation desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Russian aims, stating that should forces pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. This is how deception sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will establish firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack hit residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring several people, among them children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were damaged and considerable damage was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Concerning previous allegations of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's president, US and European officials are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. A report stated that American national security officials determined the alleged attack "never occurred".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense released a video purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Calls Allegations a "Diversion"

Kaja Kallas described Russia's claims "an intentional distraction". "Nobody should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Other Updates

• DPRK Role: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Reports suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to aid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbian, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's only oil refinery.