Kremlin (Russia): Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended New Year and Christmas greetings to several world leaders, including Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Kremlin said the greetings were conveyed on the occasion of Christmas and the upcoming New Year 2026. Along with India and the United States, Putin also sent wishes to leaders of China and countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
However, the Russian President did not extend greetings to most major European powers, many of which are currently aligned against Moscow in the Ukraine conflict, described by the Kremlin as a proxy war. An exception was made for Hungary and Slovakia, which are members of NATO and the European Union but maintain comparatively friendly ties with Russia.
Among European leaders, Putin sent greetings to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, according to the statement.
December 30 marks the last working day in Russia before the country enters an extended holiday period for New Year and Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7, with holidays continuing until January 12.
