China News Agency, Beijing, December 16. Comprehensive news: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 15th that the sanctions imposed by the West on Russia aimed to destroy the Russian economy, but failed.

On the 15th, the leaders of the EU member states approved the provision of 18 billion euros in economic aid to Ukraine in 2023.

Putin Says Sanctions Haven't Destroyed Russian Economy

　　According to the website of the Russian President, Putin stated on the 15th that the unprecedented sanctions imposed by the West on Russia were aimed at destroying the Russian economy in the short term, but failed.

Russia's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to shrink by 2.5% in 2022, rather than the 20% forecast in the West.

Russia's price level stabilized, and its currency and public finances remained stable.

　　On the same day, Putin proposed six main tasks for Russia's development in 2023, including strengthening foreign cooperation, ensuring national financial sovereignty, and strengthening infrastructure.

　　Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova said on the 15th that the United States not only provides weapons to the Ukrainian army, but also assists the Ukrainian army in the fields of satellites and intelligence to strike Russian targets.

This shows that the United States has become one of the parties involved in the Ukraine crisis, and it should bear responsibility for the loss of life and property caused by related attacks.

EU approves 18 billion euro aid plan for Ukraine in 2023

　　According to Reuters and the Ukrainian state news agency, the leaders of EU member states reached an agreement on the ninth round of sanctions against Russia at the EU Winter Summit on the 15th, and formally approved the provision of 18 billion euros in economic aid to Ukraine in 2023.

　　According to previous reports, the ninth round of sanctions against Russia includes sanctions against about 200 Russian individuals and entities and three additional Russian banks.

　　According to another report, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken announced on the 15th that the U.S. will impose sanctions on Russian "financial oligarch" Vladimir Potanin, an investment company and a bank he owns, and 29 Russian regional governors and governors.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Says Russian Army May Launch Next Offensive in February Next Year

　　Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov said in an interview with the British "Guardian" on the 15th that there are more and more signs that the Russian army is preparing for the next wave of offensive, "They may launch an offensive in February 2023, just like in 2022 Same year."

　　He also said that Ukraine can now successfully defend against Russian attacks on key infrastructure, and the efficiency of its air defense system has been improved, from about 50% at the beginning of the Ukraine crisis to about 80% in December. 60 out of 70 missiles launched by the Russian side were shot down on the 1st.

　　According to the Ukrainian President’s website, Ukrainian President Zelensky had a phone conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on the 15th to discuss issues related to defense cooperation and sanctions against Russia.

The United States will expand the scale of military training for Ukrainian personnel

　　According to Reuters, US Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder (Patrick Ryder) announced on the 15th that it will expand the scale of military training for Ukrainian personnel in Germany.

From January next year, about 500 Ukrainian personnel will be trained every month.

　　Several U.S. officials recently revealed that the U.S. government is finalizing a plan to provide the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.

Ryder emphasized on the 15th that the training will focus on how to use weapons that Western countries have already provided to Ukraine, not weapons that may be delivered in the future.

　　According to Reuters, since April this year, the United States and its allies have trained more than 15,000 Ukrainian personnel.

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