Bashar al-Assad look alike
Sanctions work, says Putin.
“International sanctions are affecting growing prices in Russia, but there are also shortcomings by Russian authorities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual press conference and a call-in program on Dec. 19, state news agency TASS reported.
...there are mounting warning signs regarding Russia’s economy ahead of 2025.
“The sanctions are having an effect,” Putin said when talking about the surging inflation and prices in Russia. The country’s annual inflation rate rose 9.2-9.3% while the ruble oscillates around 100 to the U.S. dollar. (less than a penny ruble)
...The combined effect of sanctions and inflation is beginning to threaten the Russian economy in various sectors, including automotive, aviation, and retail. (property developers, banks, mining and of course oil, and especially natural gas).
Will Europe step up to defend against Putin? (EU Summit this week)
Kyiv Post reports:
“Poland is to use its upcoming European Union presidency to accelerate discussions on Ukraine’s integration into both NATO and the EU, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv.
Tusk added that Ukraine’s future—and, by extension, the future of Poland and Europe—depends on decisive, collective action in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression...
...The press conference, held in advance of a major EU summit in Brussels later this week, was a clear message to European leaders that Ukraine’s integration into Europe’s political and security structures is not just an ambition, but an urgent necessity.”