Putin says troops advancing as EU approves Ukraine loan

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russian troops are advancing along the front and that Moscow will achieve its war aims by military means if Kyiv refuses to accept Russia's terms, according to The Associated Press. In his annual end-of-year news conference, Putin said, 'Our troops are advancing all across the line of contact, faster in some areas or slower in some others, but the enemy is retreating in all sectors.' The remarks come as the European Union approved a package worth more than $105 billion in financial support for Ukraine for 2026–2027, including about €90 billion in direct financial assistance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked EU leaders in a post on X, saying the decision strengthens Ukraine's resilience, immobilizes Russian assets, and provides a financial security guarantee for the coming years. 'Together, we are defending the future of our continent,' he wrote.

Putin said the goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved and that Moscow would prefer to address the conflict's root causes through diplomatic means. 'However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means,' he said, according to a Kremlin release summarizing remarks at a Defense Ministry board meeting this week.

Separately, Kyiv said it conducted its first-ever underwater drone strike on a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk, illustrating Kyiv's growing strike capabilities amid the war. The claim comes as Western partners continue to provide Kyiv with long-term funding and military assistance as fighting persists on multiple fronts.

Fighting has persisted into winter as Moscow and Kyiv assess potential paths to de-escalation, while international financial support remains a key factor shaping the conflict’s trajectory. Analysts caution that the war shows no clear end in sight, even as diplomatic discussions continue in various circles. The EU loan package underscores the extent of Western backing for Kyiv, even as Russia maintains its insistence on terms it argues are non-negotiable. The international community continues to monitor developments closely as both sides prepare for a challenging season ahead.