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In a New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a possible peace agreement was 90% ready. "The deal is 90 percent ready, ten percent remains," he noted. "And that is far more than just numbers."

A Deal Needs Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy stressed that his country desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any cost". "What does Ukraine desires? An end to hostilities? Yes. No matter the price? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine."

"Are we weary? Extremely. Does this mean we are prepared to capitulate? Any person who thinks so is deeply mistaken," Zelenskyy added.

He expressed skepticism about Moscow's aims, stating that should troops withdrew from the eastern region, the war would not necessarily end. "Withdraw from the Donbas, and it will all be over. This is how a lie translates," he commented.

EU Leaders to Plan Post-War Security

In related news, France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris in early January will establish solid pledges towards protecting Ukraine after a potential agreement with Russia is reached.

Reciprocal Strikes Reported

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

In Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in Odesa, wounding several people, among them minors. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to a couple of power facilities.

Disputed Claims Over Aerial Attack

Regarding previous claims of a drone attack targeting a residence of Russia's leader, US and European authorities agree that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred".

Reacting, Russia's ministry of defense released a video claiming to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian drone. An official from Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it demonstrated a lack of seriousness in fabricating the story.

European Diplomat Labels Allegations a "Distraction"

Kaja Kallas called Russia's claims "a deliberate diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the aggressor," she remarked.

Additional Developments

• North Korean Role: North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media hailed troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Reports indicate the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in the region.
• Sanctions Extension: United States authorities have reportedly given a temporary exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, majority Russian-owned oil company until late January. The company operates Serbia's sole refinery.