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As part of his New Year's Eve address, Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent ready. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, ten percent is left," he said. "This is far more than just numbers."

An Agreement Requires Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Truce

The president made clear that Ukraine seeks peace but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What is it that Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. At any cost? No," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is profoundly wrong," he added.

He voiced doubt about Moscow's aims, stating that even if troops pulled out from the eastern region, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the eastern regions, and everything will end. This is how a lie translates," he remarked.

EU Allies to Discuss Post-Conflict Guarantees

Separately, French leader Emmanuel Macron stated that EU leaders and allies gathering in Paris in early January will establish firm commitments towards ensuring the security of Ukraine after any agreement with Moscow is brokered.

Reciprocal Attacks Reported

Meanwhile, accounts of military actions persisted. A source from Ukraine's security service reported that Ukraine's long-range drones hit an oil depot in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a significant blaze.

On the other side, in Ukraine, a Russian-launched drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding six people, among them minors. Local authorities confirmed multiple apartment buildings were affected and significant damage was caused to a couple of power facilities.

Contested Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning previous claims of a UAV attack targeting a property of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the event. A report indicated that US security officials determined the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, Russia's ministry of defense published a video claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "laughable" and suggested it showed a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Official Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's assertions "an intentional distraction". "No one should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Other Developments

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly hailed troops operating in an "alien land" in a new year's address. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian invasion in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a short-term reprieve from restrictions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until 23 January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.