Harsher rhetoric came from Russia, directly from President Vladimir Putin, who hurled insults at Europe and European leaders.
Late in the afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke, calling on the European Union to take new and more concrete steps against Russia.
Putin stated that Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine through diplomatic or military means and that it is ready to liberate its historical territories by force if the other side and its allies refuse to negotiate. He also claimed that Russian forces have taken a strategic initiative along the entire front line, announcing the expansion of the so-called buffer zone.
The Russian president claims that his forces occupied more than 300 settlements during 2025 and that they are ready to further accelerate offensive operations.
Speaking at a Russian Defense Ministry board meeting, Putin marked 2025 as a significant turning point in the war, stressing that the Russian military has full strategic initiative across the entire battlefield. He said that they are capable of intensifying attacks in key areas and that, as he said, they are crushing the enemy, including elite Ukrainian units trained in the West.
Putin also boasted about the strengthening of Russia’s military power, stating that the navy received new submarines and 19 surface and auxiliary ships during 2025. He also highlighted the successful testing of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater nuclear drone, stressing that these systems already exist and will be further improved.
He added that the new Oresnik missile will be put into combat readiness by the end of the year, which, he said, will make Russia ready for an even more intense continuation of the war.
At the same time, he fiercely criticized European leaders, claiming that the citizens of Europe are being deliberately intimidated by the war with Russia and that hysteria is being created around the alleged Russian threat. He emphasized that Russia does not want a war with Europe, but that it is ready if, as he said, Europe wants it.
In particular, he attacked European governments for, according to him, blindly supporting the policies of the previous US administration.
“The European pigs immediately got involved in the work of the previous US administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country, restore what was lost from historical periods and take revenge,” Putin said.
He concluded that in Europe, as he claims, there is no more civilization, only degradation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called on European allies to ensure strong support for Kiev and show Russia that continuing the war is pointless, ahead of a key European Union summit to discuss Russia’s frozen assets.
“The outcome of these meetings, the outcome for Europe, must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be meaningless because Ukraine will have support,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
He called on the partners to make a decision on using about 250 billion dollars of frozen Russian state assets in the European Union, the largest part of which is in the Belgian Euroclear, to support the loan to Ukraine.
Last week, the governments of the EU countries agreed that these funds should remain frozen until further notice, instead of voting every six months on the extension of such status.
Some European leaders oppose the plan due to fear of possible legal consequences.
“It is necessary that all our partners have the courage to see the truth, admit it and act accordingly,” Zelenski said, adding that Russia’s actions clearly show its intention to continue the war in the coming year.
“Allies in the United States of America often say that it looks like Russia wants an end to the war. However, Russia is sending completely different messages and signals, including official orders to its military,” Zelensky said.
(Vijesti.ba)
