As the world 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 of the year ahead, leaders took advantage of this moment to confront their nations and the global.
On Tuesday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged that his country would use 2025 to relentlessly fight for an end to Russia’s nearly three-year-long invasion, committing to do so by any means necessary.
The Ukrainian leader’s address caps a difficult year for the war-battered country, which has been fending off a better-resourced Russian army for nearly three years. “May 2025 be our year,” Zelensky said in an address to the nation just before the clock struck midnight in Kyiv.
Also read: ‘idiot’: how Volodymyr Zelensky responds to Putin’s calls to a ‘high-tech duel’ in the middle of the Ukraine-Russian war
“We know that peace will not be given to us as a gift, however, we will do everything to avoid Russia and put an end to the war. ” Ukraine has lost seven times more territory opposed to Russia this year than in 2023, according to an AFP analysis, and faces the option of cutting off the US military and politician as Donald Trump takes over the white space.
In his New Year’s Eve speech on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin congratulated Russia’s achievements, noting that Russians deserve to be “proud” of what the country had achieved in its 25 years of power. The speech, which marked the 25th anniversary of his takeover of Boris Yeltsine, did not deal directly with the existing shock in Ukraine, focusing on full messages of hope for the coming year, such as an informed AFP.
“Dear friends, in a few minutes, 2025 will arrive, completing the first quarter of the 21st century,” Putin said in his televised address. “While there is still a lot to be decided, we can be proud of what we already have. achieved,” he continued, noting that the more than 25 years have laid the foundation for progress.
Putin assumed the role of acting president on New Year’s Eve 1999, following the resignation of Boris Yeltsin, apologizing for the post-Soviet strife, a moment that stunned many Russians, AFP found.
In his New Year’s speech on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that no one can stop China’s “reunification” with Taiwan, delivering a stern warning to what Beijing sees as pro-independence forces both on the island and internationally.
Read also: No one can avoid the “national reunification” of China with Taiwan, explains Xi Jinping in the New Year
“People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a circle of kin. No one can break our circle of kin obligations, and no one can prevent the historical trend of national reunification,” Xi said in a speech on CCTV broadcaster Chinese state.
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: Kim Jong A North Korea greets his “dear friend” Putin
Kim’s final message described Putin as his “dear friend and comrade,” said the Central News Agency of Korea (KCNA).
The North’s leader sent “warm greetings of best wishes to the fraternal Russian people and all the service personnel of the brave Russian army on behalf of himself, the Korean people and all the service personnel of the armed forces of the DPRK”, it said, using an acronym of 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 cities have seized the opportunity with joy and enthusiasm. New Year’s celebrations have begun in many locations with parties, cultural events, live music performances and themed decorations. Many devotees in gigantic numbers have even stood at temples to offer prayers.
(With contributions from agencies)
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