Ukraine will still receive funding from European countries even if Hungary and Slovakia block the EU’s planned €90 billion loan, according to EU diplomats.

Nordic and Baltic countries are preparing bilateral loans to keep Ukraine financially afloat through the first half of 2026 if the EU package stalls.

Source: POLITICO

Zelensky:

The Middle East always tried to balance because of economic ties with Russia.

They understood Russia is the aggressor but were not very loud about it or strong on sanctions.

Now they are beginning to understand what it means to live under attacks.

Zelensky:

I warned Trump about WW3. Russia already supports Iran with drones, missiles, and air defense.

The question is when troops appear — like the 10,000 North Korean soldiers now in Russia.

The same could happen with Iran if Russia sends forces.

The situation in northern Israel amid Hezbollah missile attacks.

Senior Iranian military official to Al Jazeera:

If Washington makes a strategic mistake, another strait will be placed in a situation similar to the Strait of Hormuz.

WATCH: Northern Israel under heavy Hezbollah rocket barrage.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian:

The only way to end this war—ignited by the Zionist regime & US—is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int'l guarantees against future aggression.

Trump on Iran:

We knocked out their leadership twice.

Now they have a new group coming up; let's see what happens to them.

Trump on Iran:

Oil will be coming down; it’s just a matter of war.

That happens. You can almost predict it.

Reporter: You just said it is a little excursion, and you said it is a war—so which one is it?

Trump: Well, it's both. It’s an excursion that will keep us out of a war.

Trump on Iran:

For them it’s a war; for us, it turned out to be easier than we thought.

Trump on Iran:

They started talking about mines, so we hit 28 mine ships as of this moment.

Trump on Iran:

We did a little excursion. We had to take this little couple-week excursion.

But it’s been incredible. Our military has been unbelievable.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Iran's national infrastructure is under attack. This time, a branch of my country's oldest bank was bombed while full of employees. They were laboring to ensure Iranians have food on the table ahead of our New Year.

Our Powerful Armed Forces will exact retribution for this crime.

A Chinese-owned bulk carrier, Hailan Journey, suddenly had to reverse its course near the Strait of Hormuz after nearby ships were hit by Iranian projectiles.

Former PYD (a branch of terror group PKK in Syria) leader Salih Muslim has died in a hospital in Erbil after an illness.

A Tehran resident says civilians expected regime change without widespread destruction, but Israeli airstrikes hitting infrastructure and areas near homes have shattered that hope.

“We weren’t supposed to be bombed,” she said after an explosion near her apartment.

Source: FT

Israel is quietly exploring plans to establish a security presence or potential military base in Somaliland, near the entrance to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The move would give Israel a strategic position to monitor and potentially conduct operations against Houthi forces in Yemen.

The idea follows Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December, opening the door for deeper security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and possibly a permanent foothold near one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

Source: Bloomberg

Chinese sailors filmed Iranian missile strike on the Fujairah oil storage facility in the UAE.

Patriot interceptors attempted two interceptions, firing six missiles, but failed to stop the strike.

Date unknown.