Putin claims 'troops are advancing,' will achieve goals as EU approves massive Ukraine loan

Russian President Vladimir Putin noted connected Friday that the nation's "troops are advancing" and expressed assurance that Russia volition execute its objectives done subject means if Ukraine does not assent to Russia's presumption during bid talks, according to The Associated Press.

"Our troops are advancing each crossed the enactment of contact, faster successful immoderate areas oregon slower successful immoderate others, but the force is retreating successful each sectors," Putin declared during his yearly quality conference, according to the outlet.

As the warfare drags on, the European Union has conscionable agreed to supply Ukraine with a much than $105 cardinal loan.

PUTIN DERIDES EUROPEAN LEADERS AS HE INSISTS RUSSIA'S WAR GOALS IN UKRAINE WILL BE MET BY FORCE OR DIPLOMACY

In this excavation photograph distributed by authorities bureau Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds his yearly end-of-year property league successful Moscow connected Dec. 19, 2025. (Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has conveyed his gratitude.

"I americium grateful to each leaders of the European Union for the European Council’s determination connected €90 cardinal successful fiscal enactment for Ukraine successful 2026–2027. This is important enactment that genuinely strengthens our resilience. It is important that Russian assets stay immobilized and that Ukraine has received a fiscal information warrant for the coming years. Thank you for the effect and for unity. Together, we are defending the aboriginal of our continent," helium declared successful a station connected X.

ZELENSKYY CALLS FOR US TO RESPOND TO ‘SIGNALS’ RUSSIA IS ‘PREPARING TO MAKE NEXT YEAR A YEAR OF WAR’

Putin has asserted that Russia volition execute its objectives 1 mode oregon the other.

"The goals of the special subject cognition volition undoubtedly beryllium achieved. We would similar to accomplish this and address the root causes of the conflict done diplomatic means," helium said, according to a Kremlin merchandise astir a Defense Ministry Board gathering earlier this week.

"However, if the opposing broadside and its overseas patrons garbage to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia volition execute the liberation of its humanities lands by military means," Putin declared.

UKRAINE SAYS IT CARRIED OUT FIRST-EVER UNDERWATER DRONE STRIKE ON RUSSIAN SUBMARINE IN NOVOROSSIYSK

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a property league with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, not pictured, connected Dec. 15, 2025, successful Berlin, Germany. (Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

President Donald Trump's medication has been striving to assistance broker an extremity to the warfare betwixt the 2 nations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.