Speaking on the 25th anniversary of his rule, President Vladimir V. Putin delivered an upbeat and vague New Year’s Eve message that did not address casualties in Ukraine or rising inflation at home.

President Vladimir Putin told Russians in a New Year address that the country would move forward with confidence in 2025, though he offered no specific promises on the economy or the war in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin made a three-word pledge to Russia’s soldiers in his pre-recorded New Year address. In his address to the nation on Tuesday (31 December), the Russian President praised his country’s military in its war against Ukraine,

MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) -Russian natural gas exports via Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine to Europe were halted in the early hours of New Year's Day as a transit deal expired and warring Moscow and Kyiv have failed to reach an agreement to continue the flows.

North Korean President Kim Jong Un on Monday declared a "new high" in relations between North Korea and Russia and hoped for a Russian victory over Ukraine in 2025.

A North Korean individual killed in Russia had written about their "sacred duty" to fight for Kim Jong Un, revealing deep loyalty to the regime. The incident has sparked discussions about the role and sacrifices of North Korean nationals involved in foreign conflicts.