As the world celebrates the arrival of the New Year 2025, global leaders have shared important updates and messages in their New Year greetings. From pledges of unity and progress to reflections on the challenges of the past year, leaders have used this moment to address their nations and the world.
On Tuesday, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, promised that his country would use 2025 to combat implacably for an end to the invasion of approximately three years, committing to do so through any necessary means.
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: “Dumbass”: how Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin called the “high-tech duel” in the Ukraine-Russian war
“We know that we will not be given peace as a gift, however, we will do everything to avoid Russia and put an end to the war. “Ukraine has lost seven times as much territory to Russia this year as it did in 2023, according to an AFP analysis, and faces the option of cutting off the U. S. military and politician when 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 the Russians deserve to be “proud” of what the country had achieved its 25 years of power. The speech, which marked the 25th anniversary of its acquisition of Boris Yeltsine, did not deal directly with the existing clash in Ukraine, focusing on the full messages of hope for next year, as an informed AFP.
“Dear friends, in a few minutes, will arrive 2025, completing the first quarter of the century,” Putin said in his televised speech. “Although there is still much to decide, we can be proud of what we have already achieved,” he said, emphasizing that the last 25 years had been the foundations for new progress.
Putin assumed the role of interim president on the night of the New Year’s Eve in 1999 after Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned, apologies for postsoviet struggles, a moment that has left many amazed Russians, said the AFP.
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 prevent China’s “national reunification” with Taiwan, says Xi Jinping in New Year
“The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification,” Xi said in a speech on China’s state broadcaster CCTV.
North Korean leader Kim Jong congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “most dear friend” in a new year letter, congratulating bilateral ties between the two nations on Tuesday, according to state media.
Read also: Kim Jong One of North Korea greets the “most expensive friend” Putin
Kim’s latest message described Putin as his “dearest friend and comrade”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
The leader of the North sent “warm greetings of the most productive wishes to the Russian fraternity to other people and to all the service workers of the brave Russian army on behalf of himself, the other Korean people and the entire service organ of the DPRK workers,” 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, because the population of cities has marked the opportunity with joy and enthusiasm. New Year’s celebrations have begun in many cities with parties, cultural events, live music performances, and themed decorations. Many devotees in giant numbers have even stayed in temples to offer prayers.
(With inputs from agencies)
Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
Download the Mint app and read premium stories
Connect our to save your markers. It will only take a moment.