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In a New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace deal was ninety percent ready. "The deal is 90% ready, ten percent is left," he remarked. "And that is much more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants an end to the war but would not accept it at "any price". "What is it that Ukraine desires? Peace? Yes. No matter the price? No," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Are we tired? Very. Does that imply we are ready to give up? Any person who believes that is profoundly mistaken," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's intentions, suggesting that should troops pulled out from the Donbas Donbas, the war would not cease. "Pull out from the Donbas, and it will all be over. That is how a lie translates," he remarked.

European Allies to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make firm commitments towards protecting Ukraine following a potential peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Strikes Reported

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions continued. A source from Kyiv's security service said that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles hit a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, causing a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them children. Officials confirmed four buildings were affected and considerable harm was reported to two power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Drone Incident

Concerning previous allegations of a drone attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces did not target the event. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the alleged incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry released a footage claiming to show debris of a destroyed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the footage as "laughable" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Official Calls Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept unfounded allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops serving in an "foreign territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
• Restrictions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister granted a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole oil refinery.