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During his New Year's Eve message, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a potential peace agreement was 90% complete. "This peace agreement is 90 percent ready, 10% is left," he said. "And that is far more than just figures."

An Agreement Needs Robust Assurances, Not a Weak Ceasefire

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine desires an end to the war but would not accept it at "any possible cost". "What does Ukraine want? An end to hostilities? Absolutely. No matter the price? Certainly not," he said. "Our goal is a conclusion to the war but not the destruction of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Extremely. Does that imply we are prepared to surrender? Any person who thinks so is deeply wrong," Zelenskyy continued.

He voiced skepticism about Moscow's aims, suggesting that even if forces withdrew from the eastern Donbas, the conflict would not necessarily end. "Pull out from the eastern regions, and it will all be over. That is how a lie sounds," he remarked.

European Allies to Discuss Post-War Security

Separately, France's leader Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders and allies meeting in Paris on 6 January will establish solid commitments towards protecting Ukraine following any peace deal with Moscow is reached.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military actions continued. A source from Ukraine's SBU said that Ukraine's long-range drones struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

On the other side, in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack struck residential blocks and the power grid in Odesa, wounding several people, including children. Local authorities confirmed multiple buildings were affected and significant harm was caused to a couple of energy facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Attack

Concerning recent claims of a drone strike aimed at a property of Russia's president, US and European authorities are in agreement that Ukraine did not target the incident. An article stated that US national security officials concluded the reported incident "did not happen".

In response, The Russian defence ministry released a footage claiming to show fragments of a destroyed Ukrainian-made drone. An official from Ukraine's foreign ministry ridiculed the evidence as "absurd" and suggested it showed a lack of credibility in creating the narrative.

EU Diplomat Labels Claims a "Distraction"

The EU's top diplomat called Russia's claims "an intentional diversion". "Nobody should accept baseless allegations from the invading force," she said.

Additional Updates

• DPRK Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, reportedly praised troops serving in an "alien land" in a New Year message. Intelligence assessments suggest the country has sent a significant number of personnel to support Russia's invasion in Ukraine.
• Sanctions Reprieve: United States authorities have according to a minister given a short-term exemption from sanctions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled energy firm until late January. The company manages the country's sole refinery.