LIVE – Ukraine-Russia War: Vladimir Putin will take stock of the year during his annual press conference

The United Kingdom will release 225 million pounds sterling (273 million euros) of military equipment for Ukraine, including drones, air defense systems and munitions, the British Ministry of Defense said in a statement. press release. This announcement comes the day after a visit by British Defense Minister John Healey to kyiv, during which he met his counterpart Roustem Umerov and pledged to “step up” the UK’s support for Ukraine. in 2025.

The leaders of EU countries will today try to refine their strategy on both Ukraine and Syria, during their last summit before Donald Trump returns to the White House in the United States. Rarely, French President Emmanuel Macron will not participate in this European meeting: he flew to Mayotte last night. He will be represented at the table of 27 by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to established practice. The other heads of state and government will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this morning to reaffirm their support.

Economic troubles, setbacks in Syria, escalation of the conflict in Ukraine: Vladimir Putin is today taking part in his annual question-and-answer session, a widely staged television show, but also a rare opportunity to question the Russian president on subjects who are angry. This spectacle broadcast live on television has taken place in various formats almost every year since Vladimir Putin came to power a quarter of a century ago.

It includes questions from the press, including Western ones, and responses to the grievances of the Russian population. Some 1.6 million questions were submitted, according to a count on Wednesday reported by the Ria Novosti agency. This year, there is no shortage of reasons for concern, almost three years after the start of the large-scale Russian assault against Ukraine, in the midst of escalating tensions with the West and against a backdrop of multiple international and growing economic problems.

At least 100 North Koreans were killed in December fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, a South Korean lawmaker said, echoing similar reports from kyiv and Washington. “In December, they participated in real combat, during which at least 100 deaths occurred,” MP Lee Seong-kweun said of North Korean troops, after a briefing given by the National Service of Intelligence (NIS) to parliamentarians in Seoul.

“The NIS also said the number of wounded is expected to reach nearly 1,000” among North Korean troops, Lee Seong-kweun added. According to him, there are reports that “several North Korean losses, including those of high-ranking officers, occurred in Ukrainian missile and drone attacks, as well as in training accidents.”