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As part of his New Year's Eve speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a potential peace agreement was ninety percent complete. "This peace agreement is 90% complete, 10% is left," he noted. "This is far more than simply numbers."

A Deal Requires Strong Guarantees, Not a Weak Ceasefire

The president stressed that his country seeks an end to the war but not at "any price". "What does our nation want? An end to hostilities? Yes. At any cost? Certainly not," he declared. "Our goal is a conclusion to the conflict but not the end of our country."

"Is the nation exhausted? Very. Does this mean we are prepared to surrender? Any person who believes that is deeply wrong," he continued.

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

EU Allies to Discuss Post-War Guarantees

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that EU allies and partners meeting in Paris on 6 January will make solid commitments towards ensuring the security of the country following any peace deal with Moscow is brokered.

Cross-Border Attacks Continue

At the same time, accounts of military strikes continued. An official from Kyiv's security service reported that Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicles struck a fuel storage facility in the Russian city of Rybinsk, sparking a large fire.

In Ukraine, a Russian-launched aerial assault struck apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, injuring six people, among them children. Local authorities said four apartment buildings were affected and significant harm was reported to two power facilities.

Disputed Allegations Over Aerial Incident

Concerning previous claims of a drone attack aimed at a residence of Russian leader, American and European authorities are in agreement that Ukrainian forces was not behind the incident. An article indicated that US national security officials determined the reported incident "never occurred".

In response, Russia's defence ministry released a video purporting to show fragments of a downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. A Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs dismissed the evidence as "absurd" and stated it showed a lack of seriousness in creating the story.

European Official Labels Allegations a "Diversion"

The EU's top diplomat described Moscow's claims "a deliberate diversion". "No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor," she remarked.

Other Developments

• North Korean Involvement: The DPRK's leader, Kim Jong-un, according to state media praised troops operating in an "alien territory" in a New Year address. Intelligence assessments indicate North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support the Russian military campaign in the region.
• Restrictions Reprieve: The US have reportedly given a short-term exemption from restrictions to a Serbia-based, largely Russian-controlled oil company until late January. The company manages Serbia's sole refinery.