Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Moscow’s troops are advancing across the battlefield in Ukraine, voicing confidence that the Kremlin’s military goals will be achieved

As the war between Russia and Ukraine persists, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his nation's "troops are advancing," The Associated Press reported.

President Vladimir Putin's epic annual press conference on Friday was punctuated by bizarre moments and occasional barbs from ordinary Russians venting their frustration via unfiltered text messages.

Ordinary Russians got the chance to question their leader at his year-end call-in show, with queries focused on an end to the Ukraine war and boosting the economy.

The Kremlin fueled the rise of Trump’s friend Steve Witkoff with a prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats.

President Vladimir Putin offered no compromise on Friday on his terms for ending the war in Ukraine and accused the European Union of attempting "daylight robbery" of Russian assets.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky was in Poland to highlight the important role Kyiv and Warsaw play for the security of Europe. He also thanked EU leaders for agreeing to provide his country with a €90bn (£79bn; $105bn) loan - although approval only came after a fraught, at times heated, summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a powerful message during his end-of-year press conference in Moscow, stating that Russia is willing to end the conflict in Ukraine if what he calls the “root causes” are addressed.