Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a New Year address that a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is "90% ready." The remaining 10%, according to Zelensky, would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe."

Zelensky's address largely focused on Ukrainian resistance to Russia's full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, escalating a conflict that started in 2014. The pursuit of a peace agreement comes as the war continues to have a devastating impact on Ukraine, causing widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and casualties. The conflict has also had significant global repercussions, affecting energy markets, food security, and international relations.

In his own New Year address, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his troops that "we believe in you and our victory." The Kremlin's stance suggests that despite Zelensky's claims of progress toward a peace deal, significant obstacles remain.

Earlier on Wednesday, Moscow released what it claimed was evidence of Ukraine using drones to target Putin's private residence on Lake Valdai in north-west Russia. The allegations, which Kyiv has strenuously denied, included a map purportedly showing that the drones were launched from the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine and a video of a downed drone lying in snowy woodland. A serviceman standing next to the wreckage claimed it was a Ukrainian Chaklun drone. The BBC has not been able to verify the footage, and it is not possible to locate where it was shot.

Russia has indicated it would review its position on the ongoing peace process. The conflict in Ukraine has its roots in complex historical and geopolitical factors, including Ukraine's post-Soviet shift towards closer ties with the West, Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the ongoing conflict in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. The Minsk agreements, aimed at resolving the conflict in Donbas, failed to achieve a lasting ceasefire.

The international community has largely condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with many countries imposing sanctions on Russia and providing military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. However, divisions remain on how to best address the conflict, with some countries prioritizing diplomatic solutions and others emphasizing the need to support Ukraine's defense. The United Nations has also played a role in mediating the conflict and providing humanitarian assistance.