As the Global celebrates the arrival of the New Year 2025, global leaders have shared updates and messages in their new year greetings. From promises of unity and progress to reflections on the challenging situations ahead of the year, leaders have used this moment to confront their nations and the global.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that his country would use 2025 to fight tirelessly to end Russia’s nearly three-year-old invasion, pledging to do so by all means.
The Ukrainian leadership makes it a tough year for the war-hit country, which has been advocating for a better-supported Russian military for about 3 years. “May 2025 be our year,” Zelensky said in a mess with the country just before the clock struck in kyiv.
Also Read: ‘Dumbass’: How Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin’s calls for ‘high-tech duel’ amid Ukraine-Russia war
“We know that peace will not be a gift to us, but we will do everything we can to prevent Russia and end the war. ” Ukraine has lost seven times more territory to Russia this year than in 2023, according to an AFP analysis, and faces the choice of reducing the US military and politics when Donald Trump regains the White House.
In his New Year’s Eve speech on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin commended Russia’s accomplishments, stating that Russians should be “proud” of what the country had achieved during his 25 years in power. The speech, marking the 25th anniversary of his takeover from Boris Yeltsin, did not directly address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, focusing instead on hopeful messages for the year ahead, as reported by AFP.
“Dear friends, in just a few minutes, 2025 will arrive, completing the first quarter of the 21st century,” Putin said in his televised address. “While there is still much to decide, we can rightfully be proud of what we have already accomplished,” he continued, emphasizing that the past 25 years had laid the foundation for further progress.
Putin assumed the role of interim president on the eve of the New Year of 1999, after the resignation of Boris Yeltsin, apologizing for postsovietic struggles, a moment that stunned many Russians, the AFP found.
In his New Year’s speech on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said no one can prevent China’s “reunification” with Taiwan, offering a stark warning to what Beijing sees as pro-independence forces, both on the island and internationally. international.
Read also: No one can save China’s “national reunification” with Taiwan, says Xi Jinping in his New Year’s speech
“People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a circle of relatives. No one can break our circle of family obligations and no one can prevent the historic trend of national reunification,” Xi said in a speech on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “dearest friend” in a New Year’s letter, commending the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, according to state media reports on Tuesday.
Also Read: North Korea’s Kim Jong Un hails ‘dearest friend’ Putin
Kim’s newest message described Putin as his “most friend and companion,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
The North Korean leader sent “warm greetings and the most fruitful wishes to the Russian brothers and all the service personnel of the brave Russian army, on their behalf, the Korean people and all the service personnel of the DPRK armed forces. “,” he said, an acronym for the North’s formal name.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his New Year wishes for 2025 to the nation, hoping it brings new opportunities, success, and happiness to all. Taking to X, he wrote, “Happy 2025! May this year bring everyone new opportunities, success and endless joy. May everybody be blessed with wonderful health and prosperity.”
India welcomed 2025 with celebrations across the country, as people in various cities marked the occasion with joy and enthusiasm. New Year celebrations began in many cities with parties, cultural events, live music performances, and themed decorations. Many devotees in huge number even thronged to temples to offer prayers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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