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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace agreement was 90% complete. "The peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% remains," he noted. "And that is far more than just figures."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are ready to capitulate? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly mistaken," Zelenskyy continued.

He expressed doubt about Russian aims, stating that even if forces withdrew from the Donbas region, the war would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies gathering in Paris on 6 January will make firm pledges towards protecting the country after any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Strikes Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, including children. Officials confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to two power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Drone Attack

Regarding recent allegations of a UAV strike aimed at a residence of Russian president, American and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. A report stated that US security agencies concluded the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a footage purporting to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the footage as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "a deliberate diversion". "No one should believe unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she said.

Additional Updates

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of troops to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Extension: The US have according to a minister granted a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company operates the country's only oil refinery.