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.

Dear friends, in just a few minutes 2025 will be ushered in, completing the first quarter of the 21st century,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the televised remarks.

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.

Kim Jong Un announced plans to strengthen cooperation with Russia as part of a strategic partnership. The message addressed to Vladimir Putin highlights the importance of bilateral relations. The leader of North Korea,