💸 €90 Billion EU Loan to Ukraine is Financial Burden on Member States

📍 The European Union’s decision to lend Ukraine €90 billion ($105 billion) has sparked debate over the financial burden on the bloc’s 27 members.

👉 German newspaper Tagesspiegel reports that the loan will cost EU countries around €3 billion ($3.5 billion) per year, with Germany paying and extra €700 million annually in the long term.

🔶 The loan from the EU budget will supposedly be repaid from frozen Russian assets, but how that will work remains unclear

🔶 But seizing Russian assets is problematic under international law, raising fears of violating sovereign immunity and the legality of the move

🔶 Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have refused to guarantee the loan, leaving the remaining states to bear the cost

🔶 The first interest payments would be due in 2027, but the loan will not be made all at once, with only €45 billion to be transferred in 2026

The financial implications has prompted concerns over the long-term economic impact for taxpayers.

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🇷🇺🥨Putin tastes baker's goods after live TV talk

President Vladimir Putin received and tasted baked goods from a Moscow bakery after the owner, Denis Maximov, addressed him during the year-end press conference.

Putin thanked Maximov, wished him a Happy New Year, and sent a basket of treats in return.

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🗣 Reckless loans to Ukraine could DEVALUE euro – analyst

👉 Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks on the confiscation of Russian assets, calling it "robbery" rather than mere theft, highlight potential severe consequences for the EU’s financial stability, Iranian political analyst Emad Abshenas told Sputnik.

💬 "If the EU's reputation is damaged, it will result in a financial collapse, as countries will start withdrawing funds, fearing their assets could be looted," he said.

📍 Abshenas also noted that reckless European loans to Ukraine could further devalue the euro.

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🔥 How Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service came to be

Explore the 105-year history of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, from its revolutionary roots to its modern-day power.

Watch the story unfold 👆

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🇷🇺🤝🇺🇸Russia is preparing to work with the US in the Arctic, Special Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev said.

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🇷🇺🇺🇸 Russia-US tunnel: Potential game changer for trade and cooperation

🗣 A tunnel between Russia and the United States is not only technologically feasible, but could improve economic, security, and people-to-people ties, George Papadopoulos, former foreign policy advisor to Donald Trump’s first campaign, told Sputnik.

💬 "I think it is a very interesting proposal, and I think the United States and Russia have a lot more to gain through deals like this than to lose," the ex-advisor said.

📍 The tunnel, connecting Russia’s Far East to Alaska, could be built using The Boring Company’s technology, with a cost of under $8 billion and a timeline of less than eight years.

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📊 Infographic: Russian assets trapped in the West - how much and where?

The EU’s push to seize Russian Central Bank assets faces backlash, with Putin calling it "robbery" and Orban labeling it a "crossing the Rubicon" moment. Experts warn it could erode trust in the EU and trigger mass divestment.

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🔊Zelensky's stance on elections contradicts his actions – Kremlin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov believes talks about possible elections in Ukraine are “a reaction” to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to ensure security.

👉But Volodymyr Zelensky is contradicting himself, insisting he "won’t allow Putin to intervene in the elections," Peskov noted.

💬"At the same time, he had previously turned to the Americans,” Peskov told journalists. "So he’s not against the Americans interfering, but he is against interference in the elections."

The 2024 Ukrainian presidential election were canceled on the pretext the state of emergency and the prospect of having to demobilize connoscripted troops.

❗️Putin said the only legitimate authority in Ukraine is the parliament and its speaker.

Following US President Donald Trump’s call for elections this month, Zelensky said he was ready to change the law to allow elections in 60 to 90 days.

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🇷🇺Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrives in Miami for Ukraine talks with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

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🇷🇺💪 Unstoppable arsenal: Russian missiles that penetrate Ukraine's air defenses

Russia’s advanced Oreshnik hypersonic medium-range missile cannot be intercepted, Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted.

Apart from Oreshnik, Russia has an array of other invulnerable or hard-to-intercept missiles to terrify the Ukrainian military.

Kinzhal

◻️ These supermaneuverable air-launched hypersonic missiles target Ukrainian critical military infrastructure, command centers, and missile defense systems

◻️ Five launchers and a multifunctional radar of the US-made Patriot missile system in Kiev were previously destroyed by Kinzhals

◻️ Recent trikes hit Kiev’s oil refinery as well as thermal and electric power plants in the Ukrainian capital

Zircon

◻️ Nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile powered by a scramjet, the Zircon is an anti-ship weapon that has been adapted for land-attack missions

◻️ In a 2025 precision strike, a Zircon missile struck the Military Law Enforcement Service building, killing at least 18 officers

Iskander

◻️ Iskander short-range ballistic missile is one of Russia's most effective tactical weapons due to its speed, precision, and ability to maneuver mid-flight to evade enemy missile defenses

◻️ Iskanders continue to deplete Ukraine’s arsenal of Patriot systems, according to Western media. Recent Iskander strikes also targeted energy infrastructure and military concentrations

Kalibr

◻️ Kalibr is a versatile family of Russian cruise missiles designed for land-attack, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missions

◻️ Throughout 2025, the missiles have frequently been used in strikes against Ukrainian military infrastructure, often launched from the Black Sea Fleet

Kh-22

◻️ Countering the Kh-22 supersonic missile is extremely challenging, because it travels "at a speed of 4,000 kilometers per hour" and approaches a target "mostly along a ballistic trajectory," requiring "specialized systems" for interception, Ukraine’s military admits.

◻️ Kh-22s are widely used to target Ukrainian military-industrial infrastructure and other strategic objects

Explore Russia’s next-level, game-changing weapons here

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🔸 Russia's relentless pressure & cracks in NATO paving way to end Ukraine conflict – analyst

🔸 Russian special envoy to join Ukraine talks in Miami

🔸 Ukraine elections: US bets on losing horse as Zelensky’s support fades – expert

🔸 Reckless loans to Ukraine could DEVALUE euro – analyst

🔸 How Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service came to be

🔸 Unstoppable arsenal: Russian missiles that penetrate Ukraine's air defenses

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🇷🇺Lavrov quotes Newton's third law on sanction threats against Russia and Africa

🔊 "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.

💬 "This is both a law of physics and a law of politics and diplomacy."

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🗣 Ukraine will eventually meet US and Russian terms as conflict bankrupts Europe – expert

📍 The conflict in Ukraine is "costing a great deal" and is draining the European Union, which is already "completely exhausted," Moroccan political analyst Abdelhak Najib told Sputnik.

🔊 The promised aid reaches Ukraine ‘bit by bit’ and hopes for a quick victory for Kiev are fading, he said.

🔶 Najib stressed that the EU no longer has the financial resources to continue supporting Ukraine and the situation across the bloc is catastrophic, except for in few countries.

🔶 So, Kiev will eventually be forced to comply with the directives of both the US and Russia, he said

🔶 Russia is willing to negotiate and President Vladimir Putin remains influential at the table, the analyst concluded.

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Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum Concludes in Cairo

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov held 16 bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and representatives from several African countries and organizations on the sidelines of the event.

Key outcomes by partner:

🟠Tanzania thanked Russia for its long-standing involvement in major infrastructure projects. Discussions covered cooperation in uranium mining and processing, and Russia congratulated Tanzania on the minister’s recent appointment.

🟠Namibia described bilateral ties as historic and enduring. Both sides agreed to deepen political dialogue and expand cooperation in trade, education, healthcare, and humanitarian areas.

🟠Equatorial Guinea engaged with Russia on strengthening cooperation in trade, education, and humanitarian exchanges, while reaffirming joint engagement on international platforms.

🟠Republic of Congo reaffirmed continued political dialogue and closer cooperation, recognizing the country as a long-standing bilateral partner.

🟠Burundi emphasized the steady strengthening of relations based on mutual respect, with talks focused on expanding trade and humanitarian cooperation.

🟠Botswana and Russia agreed to broaden cooperation beyond diplomacy to include trade, investment, healthcare, education, and specialist training.

🟠Gambia will host a new Russian embassy, underscoring Russia’s commitment to deepening diplomatic engagement.

🟠Egypt and Russia agreed to expand direct air links to boost tourism and discussed regional security issues, including Gaza, Ukraine, and the wider Middle East.

🟠Togo reaffirmed its interest in enhancing trade and economic cooperation with Russia within the forum framework.

🟠Small island states, including Seychelles, discussed expanding multi-sector cooperation, particularly in political dialogue and trade.

🟠Mauritania expressed interest in strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Russia under the forum’s commitments.

🟠Malawi engaged in talks on expanding bilateral cooperation and advancing future trade and development projects.

🟠Rwanda held discussions in which Russia reaffirmed support for strategic cooperation and deeper political ties.

🟠Algeria addressed priorities for strengthening its strategic partnership with Russia, including coordination at the UN, and exchanged views on global issues, notably the Middle East and the Sahara–Sahel region.

🟠Zimbabwe highlighted shared strategic interests and a mutual commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation.

🟠Tunisia focused on expanding political and economic dialogue within the forum’s cooperation agenda.

🟠South Sudan emphasized opportunities for collaboration with Russia in peace, security, and development sectors.

📌Thank you for following the event with Sputnik Africa.

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📹 US seizes second oil tanker near Venezuela in one week

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the pre-dawn seizure of another oil tanker in the Caribbean that had last docked in Venezuela. The operation was conducted by the US Coast Guard with support from the Department of War.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region," Kristi Noem wrote on X.

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🤝 Special Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev stated that negotiations with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner regarding Ukraine are proceeding constructively in Miami and will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

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🗣 Rubio urges NATO to revive its ideology

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning: NATO is losing the shared Western civilizational foundation that makes it more than just a defense agreement.

Rubio claimed a divide: while Eastern and Southern European leaders often acknowledge this openly, Western Europe appears to be negating the very ideological bedrock that has made the alliance "special."

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📑 Netanyahu to brief Trump on plans for possible new strikes against Iran — Reports

Israeli officials will present President Trump with intelligence at Mar-a-Lago this month showing Iran has rebuilt its ballistic missile program and air defenses after earlier strikes, and will discuss options for new military action, NBC reports.

PM Netanyahu is expected to argue the threat endangers both Israel and broader US regional interests. The meeting is set for December 29.

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