The World in Brief from The Economist

Russia stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast, targeting the port of Pivdennyi and infrastructure in the Odessa region

America struck dozens of suspected Islamic State sites across central Syria.

Fielding questions at his marathon end-of-year press conference, President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian troops were still advancing in Ukraine, seizing the “strategic initiative”

The European Union reached a deal to loan Ukraine €90bn ($106bn) for the next two years, after marathon talks in Brussels.

The European Union reached a deal to loan Ukraine €90bn for the next two years. Also, TikTok’s Chinese owner signed binding agreements with three big investors to form a joint venture that will operate the social-media app in America.

European Union leaders reached a deal to loan Ukraine €90bn ($106bn) for the next two years, after marathon talks in Brussels.

At a summit in Brussels Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine needed clarity on the financial support it will receive from Europe.

Ukraine’s president is expected to give a speech ahead of discussions over the use of frozen Russian assets. Also, America’s Senate overwhelmingly approved the National Defence Authorisation Act.