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During his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a possible peace deal was 90% complete. "The deal is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he remarked. "And that is far more than simply figures."

A Deal Needs Robust Guarantees, Not Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country wants peace but not at "any price". "What is it that our nation desires? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is an end to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation tired? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he continued.

He voiced doubt about Russian aims, suggesting that should forces withdrew from the Donbas Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily cease. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Plan Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that EU leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid pledges towards protecting the country after any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

Meanwhile, reports of hostile actions persisted. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones struck an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck residential blocks and energy infrastructure in Odesa, injuring six people, including minors. Officials confirmed four buildings were damaged and significant harm was reported to a couple of energy facilities.

Contested Claims Over Aerial Incident

Regarding previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russian president, US and European officials agree that Ukraine did not target the event. An article stated that American security agencies determined the alleged incident "did not happen".

Reacting, Russia's defence ministry published a footage purporting to show debris of a downed Ukrainian-made unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the narrative.

European Official Labels Claims 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 Developments

• DPRK Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops serving in an "alien territory" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of personnel to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a temporary exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages Serbia's sole oil refinery.